Kent lifted themselves off the foot of the county championship table today thanks to a welcome eight-wicket triumph over Leicestershire at Grace Road.

The win is only the second of the campaign for Kent.

Despite heavy overnight rain, play resumed on time with Leicestershire 110-9, only 59 ahead.

Ben Raine and Charlie Shreck took the score on to 123 before Shreck was bowled by Matt Coles, the seamer’s fourth wicket of the innings to go with the six he took in Leicestershire’s first innings.

Coles’ match figures of 10-94 were his best in first class cricket.

All-rounder Raine finished on 41 not out.

Needing just 73 to win on what is still a difficult pitch on which to bat, the Kent batsmen adopted an aggressive approach.

While it paid off for Joe Denly, it did cause the demise of Daniel Bell-Drummond, caught by Angus Robson at first slip off the bowling of Raine for 5, and Rob Key, who lofted Raine straight to Ned Eckersley at mid-on for 4.

Denly prospered, however, hitting 37 off 48 balls, and in company with skipper Sam Northeast, who hit 28 off 25 balls, saw the visitors home shortly after lunch.

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