Navdeep Saini takes five-fer on County debut for Kent

Express pacer Navdeep Saini had an excellent outing during his debut match in the ongoing 2022 County Championship in England. Making his maiden appearance for Kent, the right-arm pacer scalped a total of five wickets as he totally dismantled the Warwickshire batting order.

Saini completed his excellent spell after scalping a total of five wickets and giving away 72 runs in the 18 overs. His scalps included batters Chris Benjamin, Dan Mousley, Michael Burgess, Henry Brooks, and Craig Miles. All of his wickets were either caught behind or caught at slip as his efforts helped Kent bowl out Warwickshire for 225 in 85.1 overs.

Navdeep Saini also ended up bowling 14 no-balls in his 18 overs spell

Five wickets on debut: @navdeepsaini96 🏎 pic.twitter.com/6wzYjE8N1d

— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) July 20, 2022

Talking more about the match, Warwickshire won the toss and had no hesitation to bowl first. Thanks to Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Warwickshire bundled out their opponents for just 165 runs in 40.1 overs with Hannon-Dalby finishing on 6/40 from his 13 overs.

Kent were in a lot of trouble after the first innings, but Saini’s spell ensured that Warwickshire do not run away with the game as they conceded just a 60-run lead in the first innings and then showed some good batting performance before play for Day 2 came to an end. At stumps, Kent were 198/4 in 63 overs, and now have a lead of 138 runs.

The express pacer from India has signed a three-match County Championship and five Royal One Day Cup matches deal with Kent. Hence, he became the second Indian player after veteran Rahul Dravid to represent the County side. “It’s a great opportunity to play county cricket and I’m looking forward to giving my all for Kent,” Saini had said earlier.

“In a year when it’s been difficult to take wickets, we’re excited to have the opportunity to add a fast bowler of Navdeep’s quality to our squad,” said Paul Downton, Kent’s Director of Cricket. Notably, the right-arm pacer has so far represented India in two Tests, eight ODIs and 11 T20Is and has scalped a total of 23 wickets in all three formats of the game.