Nash and Stevens propel Kent
Thursday 19th July 2012
Unbeaten centuries from former West Indies international Brendan Nash and Darren Stevens helped Kent post 310 for four to secure the first day advantage in their LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Glamorgan in Canterbury.
Nash will resume on 110 on Friday, while Stevens posted 120 not out for his part in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand worth exactly 200 that takes Kent into day two in great shape.
James Harris, the former England Under-19 bowler, was easily the pick of the Welsh attack in claiming all four wickets to fall to finish with figures of four for 80, but otherwise it was a day where Kent dominated.
After the early loss of skipper Rob Key (14) and number three Ben Harmison (12), both caught behind by Mark Wallace off Harris, Kent generally made hay despite a lunchtime deluge of rain that led to an 60-minute delay and the loss of 15 overs.
The delay clearly affected Kent opener Sam Northeast who, two deliveries after reaching his half-century from 84 balls, aimed to work to leg against Harris to go leg before for 52.
Former Glamorgan stalwart Michael Powell then marched in to face his former team-mates, only to receive a belter from Harris first up that feathered the outside edge to give Wallace a third catch.
The dismissal brought Stevens and Nash together for a terrific counter-attacking stand, the latter part of which was played out in fading light and under the St Lawrence floodlights.
Nash reached three figures first in slightly disappointing style. A push drive found an inside edge and squirted off his pad to fine leg for a single that raised his century from 158 balls and with 14 fours.
Stevens was the more aggressive of the pair and he smeared a length ball from Dean Cosker for his 18th four though, to reach his century off 125 balls.
During the course of the day Northeast went past the 2,500-run landmark in first-class cricket, while close to stumps, Stevens exceeded the 10,000-run mark.
Click here to save with pre-purchase, print at home tickets, available until 9am on each day.
Photo Sarah Ansell SarahCanterbury.com