John Sadler praised his side’s display at Canterbury this week and paid particular tributes to centurions Wayne Madsen and Shiv Thakor, plus young pace bowler Will Davis.
Davis claimed 3-86 in the first innings in only his second Specsavers County Championship fixture while Madsen (163) and Thakor (123) both hit tons in Derbyshire’s 574-9 declared.
But a resolute Kent side secured a draw by batting out the final day, ending on 238-3 before rain forced an early finish at the Spitfire Ground.
Head Coach, Sadler said: “The lads were superb from start to finish here and played some really good cricket. The bowlers were excellent on day one, and then again on the second morning to get their last three wickets.
“Batting wise, to score 574 was a great effort and I thought Shiv and Wayne were magnificent, both scoring hundreds to get up near to that 200 lead. We tried ty put pressure on Kent in the third innings, but with weather around they were able to bat out for the draw.
“Will Davis was our most threatening bowler on day one having also bowled magnificently last week against Worcestershire. For such a young lad who has not played that much cricket he’s a really exciting prospect, so he’s one we really have to look after.
“He’s being assessed by the physio right now, but the early signs are that he’s going to have a spell off, that’s a real shame for him. But he’s young and his body isn’t perhaps totally ready for fast bowling yet. It’s a shame, but we think very highly of him and hope to welcome him back soon.”
Sadler also paid tribute to Wayne Madsen, who scored his 22nd century for Derbyshire during the four-day draw and he is now the leading run scorer in the Championship this summer.
He added: “Wayne is a magnificent player in all formats and I’m wondering what else he has to do to prove he’s good enough to get noticed by England and talked about in terms of international cricket.
“You could plonk him into the middle of a Test or an ODI anywhere in the world and he would succeed – he’s that good a player in my opinion. He’s a great lad with a superb attitude and I look forward to him getting an opportunity to step up.”
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