Bottom side Kent took another step towards relegation after inevitably losing at fellow strugglers Worcestershire on day four of their Vitality County Championship Division 1 clash on Sunday.

Tom Taylor and Joe Leach picked up the final two Kent wickets this morning to leave Worcestershire, who were promoted last summer, with a modest victory target of 101.

Although Worcestershire openers Gareth Roderick and Jake Libby fell cheaply, Kashif Ali (52 not out) and Rob Jones (23 not out) saw their side over the finishing line with an unbroken stand of 69.

Worcestershire were in the ascendancy for all but the first hour of the game as Kent lost 10 wickets for 98 runs having been 73-0 in their first innings at one stage.

Kent resumed on 353-8 – an overall lead of 76 after the last over dismissal of Tawanda Muyeye for a career-best 211 on Saturday evening.

Akeem Jordan, who had picked up five first innings wickets on his Championship debut, drove Tom Taylor for four.

Taylor continued his impressive form with the ball demonstrated throughout the game and went past the outside edge on several occasions. He claimed his fourth wicket when Jordan’s off stump was sent cartwheeling out of the ground after he attempted a drive.

Joe Leach wrapped up the winnings when George Garrett (6) pushed forward and Gareth Roderick held onto a low chance away to his left.

It was Roderick’s fourth catch of the innings and seventh of a game where he has gone past 100 dismissals for Worcestershire.

Jordan struck an early blow for Kent when Worcestershire set off in pursuit of their modest target in holding onto a return catch from Roderick.

Jake Libby then shouldered arms and was bowled by Garrett at 33-2 and rain caused a 40 minute delay after lunch and the loss of 10 overs.

But Ali was soon into his stride with a succession of boundaries to banish any fears of a late twist in the outcome of the match. He twice cut on loan Alfie Ogborne for four and turned the same bowler off his legs to the ropes.

A slash to third man off Ogborne brought Kashif his 50 from 67 balls with 10 fours and clinched the victory.

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