Billings: Disappointed to fall for 99

Sam Billings could not hide his disappointment at falling one run short of his maiden first-class century for Kent although he was pleased to set a new record seventh-wicket stand of 151 with Calum Haggett at the Kia Oval.

The 24-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate said: "Of course, it was extremely disappointing to miss out on my first LV= County Championship hundred for Kent, but these things happen.

"You'd take 99 before the day's play, and more pleasing was the fact that me and Calum Haggett got us back into the game.

"It was very tough to start with and I don't think I hit one in the middle of the bat before lunch so massive credit to Tom Curran for his opening spell.

"It was one of those tough periods that we managed to get through and then earned the right to express ourselves a bit more after lunch. Calum is a proper all-rounder who will get better and better. I'm chuffed for him and his innings was as important as mine.

"We got ourselves back into the game and then kind of let it slip away again in the evening session. They did bat well but we bowled poorly.

"It's a fair pitch. If you bowl well you get the rewards, as happened to Sam Curran. But if you bowl badly then you get punished. It was a proper day's cricket and a very good advert for LV= County Championship cricket."