Matt Walker was disappointed with Kent’s performance in their Specsavers County Championship Division 2 match with Leicestershire.

Kent were beaten by 10 wickets in two days at The Spitfire Ground during Canterbury Cricket Week.

They were bowled out for 104 in their first innings and collapsed from 157-4 to 199 all out in the second.

Head coach Walker said: “We had to put in a performance to turn around our first innings and we were unable to do it. It was disappointing to say the least. It was two days of poor cricket from us.

“We have played some very good cricket over this competition and had some very nice things said about us but these two days were far from our best and we deserved what we got.

“There were some glimpses in that second innings of batting and some starts. The ability to make it count and put a really significant partnership together just didn’t happen.

“We got what we deserved. When you bat that poorly over the two days and weren’t at our best with the ball you are going to come away second best, which we did.”

Darren Stevens top scored with 38 not out in that first innings where only three of Kent’s batters made double figures. Zak Chappell and Ben Raine did the damage with the ball taking 3-14 and 3-39 respectively.

Ned Eckersley’s 74 helped Leicestershire to 229 all out giving them a first innings lead of 125.

Sean Dickson (59) made a half-century in Kent’s second innings but a collapse after tea on day two saw them skittled for 199.

The Leicestershire openers made light work of knocking off the runs before the close on day two.

Walker said: “First innings runs is something we haven’t been brilliant at for some time. A lot of that is down to the wickets we’ve played on, this season especially. First innings batting has been treacherous at times.

“We really emphasised how important first innings runs were in this game and targeted that in our discussion before the game, so that was disappointing that we didn’t react better. The second innings was just as poor really as people got themselves in and the wicket looked better.

“They outplayed us with bat and ball in both innings so we have take that on the chin and we have to make sure we come back stronger for the rest of the T20 competition and for our next championship game.”

There was one day of preparation time for both Leicestershire and Kent to adapt from T20 matches on the Friday to a four-day match that started on Sunday.

Walker added: “Generally where this game is placed is a challenge. It’s hard to go from T20 into four-day cricket because you are trying to go down in tempo rather than up.

“It’s a bit easier the other way around but this challenge has been around for a while now. A day to try and get your mind ready for four day cricket isn’t perfect but Leicester were in the same boat. They did it much better than us.”