Kent Edges Lancashire in Thrilling Five-Run Victory

Kent secured a narrow five-run victory over Lancashire in a tense Metro-Bank One-Day Cup match at Blackpool, despite a remarkable century from Keaton Jennings.

Rocky Flintoff, making history as Lancashire's youngest debutant at 16 years and 113 days, scored 12 runs from 28 balls before being stumped off Matt Parkinson's bowling. Parkinson, a former Lancashire player, was instrumental for Kent, claiming 4 for 30 and dismissing Lancashire's last man, Ollie Sutton, in the final over.

Jennings' unbeaten 107, his third century at Stanley Park this season, almost guided Lancashire to a win. However, Kent fiercely defended their total of 209 on a challenging pitch, with Beyers Swanepoel contributing significantly with figures of 3 for 26 from nine overs.

Finch top-scored for Kent with 48, while Jennings' solo effort helped Lancashire recover from 96 for 5 in the 30th over. Kent's innings began cautiously, managing only 46 runs in their powerplay and losing Swanepoel early to Will Williams. A miscommunication between Joey Evison and Ekansh Singh led to Evison's run out for 22, further stalling their progress.

Debutant Sutton briefly shone for Lancashire, taking a wicket with his first legal delivery, but soon had to leave the field due to a side strain. Josh Bohannon bowled 5.3 economical overs, while Charlie Barnard claimed his first senior wicket, dismissing Jaydn Denly for 32.

Kent struggled to build momentum, with Jack Leaning and Charlie Stobo falling to Barnard and Green, respectively. A late partnership between Finch and Parkinson added 33 runs before Parkinson was run out for 19, and Finch was caught for 48, ending Kent's innings at 209.

Lancashire's chase began poorly, losing early wickets to Swanepoel and Evison. Jennings and George Balderson added 41 runs to steady the innings, but Stobo's quick double strike left them at 65 for 4. Jennings then partnered with Flintoff and Green to inch closer to the target. 

Blatherwick's quickfire 25 and Jennings' determined batting brought Lancashire within reach, needing 15 runs off the final two overs. However, Blatherwick was caught and bowled by Swanepoel, and Parkinson dismissed Williams, leaving Lancashire needing ten runs from the last ten balls. In a dramatic finish, Barnard was run out for one, and Sutton was bowled, sealing a thrilling victory for Kent.