Close Kent 284 (50 overs: Key 76, Symonds 75, Ealham 74, Khan 4-38) beat India 263 (48.5 overs: Ganguly 64, Golding 4-42, Ealham 4-45) Kent did little for India's NatWest Series preparations after a career-best 4 for 42 by James Golding ripped through their middle order and set them on their way to a 21-run defeat at Canterbury.

Golding claimed three mid-innings Indian wickets for just 13 runs, including the prized scalp of Sachin Tendulkar, to humble the tourists who were chasing a Kent total of 284. Cruising on 166 for 2, India never recovered from Golding's salvo and were dismissed for 263 in the 49th over.

Opener Virender Sehwag led the charge, blasting a run-a-ball 45 to guide India to 85 before he became Golding's first victim. Sourav Ganguly was joined by Dinesh Mongia and the pair savaged the Kent attack before a needless run-out ended Ganguly's breezy 64.

That brought in Tendulkar, but his arrival galvanised the Kent bowlers into action and Golding cut short his innings when he had made only 15. Golding then had Dinesh Mongia caught behind for 37 and Yuvraj Singh caught by David Fulton for 3.

India were reeling on 179 for 5, but briefly Rahul Dravid looked capabale of steering them to victory. However, Dravid saw Mohammad Kaif and Harbhajan Singh both fooled by the wily bowling of Mark Ealham, and then Ealham ended India's lingering hopes when he had Dravid caught by Amjad Khan for 31. Ealham then had Anil Kumble caught by James Hockley to finish with figures of 4 for 45.

After winning the toss, Kent were reduced to 10 for 1 when Tinu Yohannan had James Hockley caught behind by Dravid. But a 128-run partnership between Rob Key and Andrew Symonds helped Kent set up a formidable target of 285. Kent reached 138 before Harbhajan had Key stumped for a 84-ball 76 which included eight fours and two sixes.

The loss of David Fulton, bowled by Kumble for 7, sparked the loss of three wickets for just 18 runs as India fought back. Symonds had blasted 75-runs off just 57 balls before he was run out and Matthew Walker was almost immediately caught and bowled by Harbhajan for 3.

With Kent tottering, Ealham swung the momentum back their way with an unbeaten run-a-ball 74 which included five fours and five sixes. That set the stage for the second part of his heroics.

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