Kent v Surrey LV=CC: Day One of Canterbury Cricket Week
Wednesday 10th August 2011
Canterbury Week got underway in glorious sunshine, with the ground looking at its best. A very good crowd of around 3,000 enjoyed a competitive day of County Championship cricket.
Kent won the toss and elected to bat. They got off to a very solid start with Rob Key (35) and Joe Denly (49), putting on 80 for the first wicket. Key was out caught in the slips off the bowling of Zander de Bruyn and this brought Sam Northeast to the crease. Northeast and Denly then batted nicely, taking Kent to 118 just before lunch. But Denly was given out lbw in what was probably to be the final over before the break.
The afternoon session belonged to Surrey as wickets feel at regular intervals. Darren Stevens (31) looked to be well set but was caught behind off Zafar Ansari. At this point it looked like Kent might be dismissed for under 200, but after tea the tail wagged and Coles (16), Riaz (34) and Cook (7 not out) took the home side to 266.
This left Surrey with 12 overs to negotiate before the close of play. This they duly did to finish the day on 50 for 0. Rory Hamilton Brown (27*) and Steve Davies (23*) will resume on Day Two, Ladies Day, looking to put Surrey in a strong position. The first hour will be crucial, as Kent go looking for an early breakthrough.