Kent at home will warm the cockles of any Warwickshire badger.
Whilst the fixture in April 2019 should be erased from the record books immediately, the clash in August 2002 will bring the fondest of memories.
Promoted in 2001, the Bears finished second to Surrey in ’02 and just 2.5 points above the south coast outfit they ruthlessly beat.
It took a few more years, 2004 to be exact, for Warwickshire to be crowned County Championships for the first time since 1995. Michael Powell’s captaincy laid the foundations for the astute Nick Knight with this result, led by two centurions and Ashley Giles, likely gave the Bears confidence following their spell a division down.
Winning the toss and batting first, Mark Wagh and Jim Troughton fired 109 and 115 respectively, with Ashley Giles adding 68 to reach 565 against a strong attack of Andrew Symonds, Mark Ealham, Martin Saggers, James Tredwell and all.
It was an imposing total from 145 overs, which looked even meatier once the visitors were dismissed for just 252. Paul Nixon, in his final year at Kent before returning home to Leicestershire, offered sturdy resistance (103), but the hard work of Giles (5/74) and Shane Bond (4/70) ensured Dave Fulton’s side would follow on.
Giles, then an England regular but not selected for the second Test against India, would return to the international fold in the finest of form. Straight amongst it, the King of Spain’s 7/42 from 40.3 overs would dismiss Kent for 317, a slender four runs ahead.
Giles would return to the pavilion and put his feet up with match figures of 12/116, whilst Michael Powell struck two fours from the first three balls of Nixon’s first over to ensure victory.
The wicket-keeper/part-time bowler would only bowl 125 deliveries in his 22-year First Class career, taking a solitary wicket. I guess they fancied a quick getaway…
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