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Daniel Bell-Drummond struck his List A high score for Kent Spitfires but they were unable to sign off with a win in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, losing to Hampshire on Tuesday.
He had totted up 150 in a brilliant innings after sizeable stands with Harry Finch and Alex Blake - but their 325-8 wasn’t defended, despite Matt Parkinson twice being on a hat-trick.
Defending champions Kent were eliminated by Lancashire’s victory while Hampshire, who were already through, will play Worcestershire in a Quarter-Final on Sunday.
Spitfires chose to bat and Joe Denly (8) was dropped before chopping Ian Holland (3-45) on in a short stay, with Jack Leaning (13) bowled by returning Mason Crane’s first ball of the day (2-55).
But the visitors took control on a great batting pitch through Bell-Drummond and Finch, both were exceptional at milking the bowling and sapped the energy of fielders and bowlers alike in the Isle of Wight heat.
Bell-Drummond rolled through the gears, bringing up his third half-century of the competition in 65, with Finch following in 60 deliveries.
Finch was bowled for 54 by Eddie Jack to end a 134-ball stand, but that only kick-started a blitzkrieg between Bell-Drummond and Blake.
Bell-Drummond’s seventh List A century came in 108 balls before Blake smashed 26 off a Dom Kelly (0-49) over during a 98-run partnership in a little more than 11 overs.
Blake’s dismissal for 46, lbw attempting to reverse Crane, saw five wickets fall for 35 runs as the visitors slowed down – despite reaching their highest List A score against Hampshire.
Holland had Grant Stewart (2) and Bell-Drummond caught swinging, with Hamid Qadri (0) and Nathan Gilchrist (4) also departing.
Hampshire needed to chase the 325 down in approximately 32 overs to beat Leicestershire to top spot in Group A - however they didn’t attempt the unlikely feat.
Fletcha Middleton was caught and bowled by Jaydn Denly (1-51) for 14 but Tom Prest kicked the innings into gear with Ben Brown.
Prest’s third score of 50 or more in the competition was full of gorgeous shot-making which included eight fours and a six which thumped into the bumper crowd - which was in the ballpark of 2,500.
His 78 in 75 was merely the amuse bouse to Aneurin Donald’s main course. He tottered along at around a run-a-ball for his first 25 balls before exploding.
He started by almost sending Qadri (2-53) over his head and back to the mainland before turning to his trusted slog-sweep to take down Parkinson (4-69) and Denly with five more sixes.
The Welshman survived a missed stumping, a catch on the boundary when Gilchrist stepped on the rope and Joe Denly spilling an easy catch at cover.
Brown - after 73 off 77 - and Joe Eckland fell in successive balls to Parkinson before Donald reached a popular century in 71 balls.
He was bowled for 106 by Qadri to leave 37 still needed in seven overs. Holland (6) and Keith Barker’s dismissals to Parkinson in back-to-back balls saw the game close back up.
But Felix Organ’s 30 not out steadied things before Crane won it with a six.
Bell-Drummond said: “It’s a tough one to take.
“We’ve been inconsistent all tournament, we’ve shown some flashes but it wasn’t meant to be. We needed other results to go our way on top of us winning.
“We were looking like 350 at one stage but couldn’t quite get there on a good wicket. We needed a bit more there as it turned out and our fielding let us down.
“I picked up where I left off before the injury. I’m very happy with my runs at the moment and I want to keep it going.
“Hopefully, I’ve found the rhythm and method that makes it stay and makes me more consistent.
“I’ve got big scores before but I needed to understand the period of the game and the need to stay in for the team.
“Fifty overs is quite tough. There are different phases to it and whichever one you choose you might regret it – whether you keep your head down and go at 80 strike rate, the other team could chase it, or if you sky one on 60, you might regret it.
“Today, I chose to bat through and was able to catch up.”
Kent’s next game is a County Championship Division 1 clash at home to Nottinghamshire from September 10.