Season's best for McCague as Kent clinch vital win over Hampshire

Kent's former England fast bowler Martin McCague returned season's best figures of five 52 to secure a crucial 15-run win against fellow strugglers Hampshire.

The victory lifts Kent above Somerset into fifth whilst Hampshire -42 points adrift at the bottom are virtually condemned to the second division cricket next season.

Robin Smith's side started the final day on 251 for six needing a further 63 runs to reach their victory target of 314 but McCague, playing in only his fifth first-class game of the summer following two close-season ankle operations, was determined to make an impact.

He sent back Dimitri Mascarenhas to a catch at the wicket with only his 14th ball of the day and then, in his next over, had Shane Warne caught at slip as the Australian aimed an expansive drive.

Kent's acting captain Alan Wells claimed the new ball and turned to his rookie strikeforce of Martin Saggers and David Masters, but McCague's re-introduction finally ended a stubborn ninth wicket stand worth 38 in 18 overs between Shaun Udal and Adrian Aymes.

Udal had made 28 in 69 balls before going back to a full-length ball to be adjudged leg-before by umpire Graham Burgess.

McCague made it four for 12 in 34 balls when he removed Alan Mullally's leg stump with a quick yorker two deliveries later to secure Kent's fourth win of the campaign.