Denly hits century against Sussex at Tunbridge Wells
Joe Denly hit a fine century to lead a determined fightback against Sussex in Tunbridge Wells as the hosts reached 316-8 at stumps on day one at The Nevill Ground.
The 31-year-old reached three figures off 188 balls as Kent grabbed three batting bonus points in front a 3,000-strong crowd after winning the toss under blue skies.
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Sussex made the most of the new ball, removing both openers in the first 20 overs: Sean Dickson nicked Jofra Archer to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess before Daniel Bell-Drummond cut Wiese to Briggs at point.
Skipper Sam Northeast was the next to fall before Denly and Joe Weatherley launched a post-lunch counter attack to add 57 inside 17 overs before Weatherley, the on-loan Hampshire bat, nicked to the keeper when defending on the back foot against Wiese.
In-form Darren Stevens marched in to unfurl a handful of sumptuous drives as he and Denly posted 60 in 65 balls before the 41-year-old miscued an attempted straight drive against Danny Briggs and succeeded in only dragging the ball into the hands of Chris Nash at wide mid-on to go for a run-a-ball 44.
Will Gidman (42) shared the biggest stand, adding for the sixth wicket and seeing Denly earn a standing ovation for reaching his 20th first-class hundred.
Kent’s century-maker Joe Denly said: “It was a grafting sort of day really and they bowled pretty well early on without much luck. The first hour was especially tough, but as soon as the new ball wore off it became a bit easier.
“Then the ball became a little soft and there were times when it was tricky to score, so it was just a case of spending time out there and hoping the runs would come.
“A few of us, if we’re honest, gout ourselves out today, but hopefully we can add a few more tomorrow and get up around 400. That would be ideal and you never know. With Matt Coles, coming in at 11, he can strike a ball as well as anyone, so we’re hopeful the tail-end can get us a few more.”
A succession of LBWs meant Kent closed with eight men down: Briggs trapped Gidman before Denly departed for 119 to Philander and Harris fell in the same fashion to Wiese for 7.
Adam Rouse (32*) and James Tredwell (0*) resume on day 2 with the task of getting more batting bonus points.
Gates open at 9am for days 2-4. Parking is available next to the ground on a first-come-first-served basis.
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