Bell-Drummond hits unbeaten 206 as Kent pile on runs v Loughborough MCCU
Tuesday 5th April 2016
Daniel Bell-Drummond hit an unbeaten double-hundred as Kent’s batsmen prepared for the start of the Specsavers County Championship in style against Loughborough MCCU.
The 22-year-old opener carried his bat with a first class career-best 206 not out as the hosts piled on 393 for seven before declaring.
Bell-Drummond passed 3,000 first class career runs as he stroked 26 boundaries and two sixes with support from Sam Northeast (65) and Matt Coles (60).
Wickets fell in pairs as Sean Dickson (26) was caught at slip off the bowling of Sam Cook after a strong start, before the same bowler trapped Adam Ball leg-before with the next ball.
Northeast added 121 with Bell-Drummond for the third wicket and the captain struck eleven fours in a flowing innings, almost overtaking his partner on the way to 50.
Bell-Drummond attacked the spinners after the seamers failed to make the breakthrough before Basil Akram’s burst, dismissing Northeast caught behind before trapping Darren Stevens LBW in his next over.
Alex Blake passed 1,000 first class career runs on his long-awaited return to competitive red-ball action as Daniel Bell-Drummond reached his century from 170 balls.
Again, wickets fell two at a time: Blake was stumped off the spin of Connor Nurse before Bobby Gamble bowled Adam Rouse.
Matt Coles came to the crease and reached his ninth first-class 50 with an entertaining innings of patience and power.
He struck six boundaries and a massive six over the Les Ames scoreboard to partner Bell-Drummond through to his double-hundred before Sam Northeast declared.
Before the close, Coles removed Hasan Azad with the first ball of the reply trapping the opener LBW before Stevens struck in the second over.
The umpires allowed a maiden over from James Tredwell before the light was deemed too dim to continue at 2 for two from three overs.
Day two is set to resume on Wednesday (6 April) at 11am at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
Entry and parking at The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence is free for all three days.
Please note that the Les Ames and Frank Woolley Stands will not be accessible for spectators.