Bailey and McCallum steady Saltires, but Kent are too strong

The pair combined in an enterprising stand of 93 at Canterbury – but the Saltires' bid to shoot down the Kent Spitfires misfired when Bailey was dismissed.

McCallum and the Australian professional had rekindled the hopes of the Scots after they had surrendered a series of early wickets as they set out in pursuit of 250.

It was crucial for the duo to stay at the crease until the end, but the challenge faded as Bailey's stumps were shattered by Amjad Khan for 70 and McCallum fell to the same bowler just short of his half-century. In the end the Scots fell short of their target by 59 runs.

The focus of the home fans had been firmly fixed on South African paceman Makhaya Ntini, who was making his final appearance for the county.

The biggest roar of the day was sparked when he clean bowled Saltires skipper Gavin Hamilton for 13 with a brilliant delivery.

Having lost experimental opener Omer Hussain for just two, Hamilton's departure left the Scots with a huge repair job to do.

Even worse was to come when Gregor Maiden and Richie Berrington were also sent packing for single figures, and a depressingly heavy defeat looked as though it could be on the cards. However, Bailey and McCallum stepped in to mount salvage operation.

Bailey thumped a six and six fours, with McCallum content to rely on placement and slick running between the wickets for his 45.

Earlier Hamilton won the toss and had little hesitation in opting to bowl in chilly conditions.

The tactic looked set to backfire as Rob Key and Joe Denly were in no trouble against the new ball.

However, Kent's normally free-scoring top order were never allowed to completely dominate against a Scottish attack which stuck to its task, backed by excellent fielding.

Key pulled boundaries off both Gordon Goudie and Gordon Drummond before driving the former straight for a third four.

Denly, meanwhile managed the first clearance of the match when he slogged Goudie to deep mid-wicket where Hussain could only push the ball over the rope.

The county had moved comfortably to 45-0 before Drummond made the breakthrough with a delivery that broke through Denly's defences.

It was the first of three quick wickets – all bowled – as the Saltires controlled the middle overs of the innings.

Berrington struck with his second delivery of the match to take out the dangerous Martin van Jaarsveld's off stump and Majid Haq completed the spell of three wickets in five overs by deceiving Key as the Spitfires were reduced to 61-3.

Haq, with fellow spinners Ross Lyons and Maiden, continued to exercise control as former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and Darren Stevens were reduced to a series of desperate slogs in the quest for runs.

Frustration got the better of both as Lyons, en route to 2-42, had Jones caught by Bailey at long off and Stevens taken by Goudie at cover.

However, a century stand between Alex Blake and Azhar Mahmood put the county back on course for a sizeable total. The pair added 102 in less than 14 overs as the boundaries started to flow.

Azhar, having hit 44 from just 41 balls, was eventually caught by a diving Berrington at long on off Drummond but the former Pakistan international's effort was eclipsed by Blake.

The 21 year-old left-hander raced to 81 – his highest limited overs score – from only 56 deliveries with eight boundaries and a majestic six.