Smith century denies Kent win in Ageas Bowl stalemate
Thursday 18th September 2014
Will Smith’s unbeaten 142 saved Hampshire from defeat by Kent on the final day of the LV = County Championship match at the Ageas Bowl and earned his side a draw and a crucial five points more in their quest for promotion.
Kent were held up by Smith’s obduracy and rain on day four, which washed out any play until 1pm and lost them vital time to complete their domination of the home side over the four days.
When stumps were drawn, Hampshire were only 92 ahead with Smith and last man James Tomlinson at the crease having survived 12 overs together to defy a ring of close fielders.
Had there been a morning session, Kent spinners James Tredwell and Adam Riley would have relished their task on a wicket offering some spin.
England bowler Tredwell got through a mammoth 43 overs to finish with figures of four for 110 while Riley’s off-spin earned him four for 36 from 19 overs in which he gave little away.
Hampshire should have been able to survive comfortably enough when play resumed after an early lunch. They were 110 for one in their second innings after following-on, only 46 in arrears.
Tredwell bowled Liam Dawson for 40 at 128 but the batting surface was still essentially sound and at 178 for two, Hampshire appeared to be in no danger after wiping out the deficit.
But from a position of apparent tranquility, Hampshire’s middle order collapsed and six wickets fell in ten overs for the addition of 30.
James Vince fell to a slip catch at 178 and the rest was almost processional as Tredwell and Riley caused disarray in the home ranks.
Riley dismissed Tom Alsop at 190 and Adam Wheater went third ball, having been missed off the first, to a catch at mid-wicket to make Hampshire 196 for five.
This worsened when first innings hero Sean Ervine was leg before to Riley, Chris Wood went the same to the tenacious Tredwell and Matt Coles failed to get off the mark before Riley made him his fourth victim, also lbw.
At the fall of Coles’ wicket, Hampshire were 208 for eight, only 52 in front and with more than 20 overs remaining.
Imran Tahir stuck around for another nine overs but when Tredwell found a way through his defences, Hampshire were just 77 ahead at 233 for nine.
Only then did opening batsman Smith get the support he deserved as Tomlinson, as he had done so effectively in the first innings, propped an end up as Smith farmed the increasingly desperate bowling.
At the close Smith had faced 304 balls and hit 16 fours while Tomlinson, his partner in those nail-biting last few overs, had managed only two singles.
Kent, who rattled up 507, their biggest score of the season, in their only innings will be disappointed only to have collected 12 points after being on top from the moment Robert Key won the toss and chose to bat.
Spinner Adam Riley said: "It was disappointing to have got so close, taking 19 Hampshire wickets in two and half days. I enjoyed bowling in tandem with Treds, but after something like 85 overs in that time, he is a bit sore now. He bowled fantastically before and after tea when there was a flurry of wickets.
"We were held up twice by Sean Ervine’s century in the first innings and by Will Smith’s in the second. Smith knuckled down and batted superbly."
Centurion Smith said: "My hundred was right up there with my best in terms of the situation we were in. Batting was tricky against two quality spinners bowling into the rough.
"Tommo hung around when it mattered for the second time in the match to show what a class number eleven he is."
Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams said: "Time went slowly for the rest of the team on the balcony and we were counting down the overs, but the last wicket pair did a terrific job.
"In terms of resilience we have shown ourselves a tough team to beat this year. Ervine and Smith dug us out of a hole with their centuries. They were magnificent.’’