PRO40 DIVISION TWO, Canterbury:
Warwickshire 283-6 beat Kent 224 by 59 runs (Warwicks 2pts)

Carter hit six sixes and 13 fours in his 103

Warwickshire kept their Pro40 Division Two title hopes alive with a convincing 59-run win to topple leaders Kent.

Neil Carter hit 103 off 66 balls before retiring hurt, backed by 53 from Jim Troughton and Tim Ambrose's 46 as the Bears piled up an imposing 283-6.

Kent were never in the hunt after slumping to 38-3 and were bowled out for 223, despite 63 from Geraint Jones.

Warwickshire climb to third, level on nine points with Kent, who slipped to second after Middlesex beat Derbyshire.

The Bears lost Jonathan Trott in the first over of the game, run out following a mix-up with Carter over a second to Alex Blake at square leg.

But Carter kept his composure to add 71 for the second wicket with Ian Bell, before taking centre stage following the England batsman's departure, taking 22 off one Phil Edwards over.

He brought up his century off 64 balls. But, with his side on 155-2 in the 19th over, he appeared to collapse and was taken from the field in pain.

Scans from the Kent and Canterbury Hospital revealed that the all-rounder had slipped a disc, potentially ending his season a fortnight early.

But Troughton and Ambrose continued the assault, leaving Kent chasing 7.1 an over for victory.

They were soon up against it as home openers Sam Northeast and James Hockley were both trapped leg before by Chris Woakes.

Alex Blake soon followed and although Kent re-grouped thanks to Jones and James Tredwell, who hit 45 off 36 balls, they fell well short.

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