Billings half-century followed by Tavaré ton as Gloucestershire build lead

Will Tavaré, the nephew of the former Kent legend Chris, hit an unbeaten century to bat Gloucestershire into a strong position at the halfway-point of their final game of the LV= County Championship campaign in Canterbury.

The 24-year-old opener batted sensibly in testing conditions on the ground his uncle graced for 15 seasons though to 1988, to post 101 not out and see the visitors through to 208 for two and a lead of 223 after two days of an enthralling tussle.

Having banked a slender 15-run lead after the first innings, Gloucestershire appear well placed for only their fourth win of the summer after Sam Billings' brisk 73 for Kent.

Batting for a second time by 2.25pm having dismissed Kent for a disappointing 164, Tavaré ensured his side continued to dominate with a studious innings typical of those played during his uncle’s 31-match England Test career.

The willowy right-hander hit nine graceful fours in his 76-ball 50 during a 106-run opening stand with Chris Dent, who was only three short of his own half-century when his miscued pull skied to mid-wicket to gift David Griffiths his maiden championship wicket for Kent since his move from Hampshire during the close season.

In his next over, Griffiths bamboozled Gareth Roderick with a slower off-cutter that snared the right-hander leg before without scoring to bring Alex Gidman to the crease.

Tavaré survived a run out scare when on 90 after chancing a second run against Griffiths’ throw. The extra run took him to 1,000 first-class runs for the season.

Five overs later Tavaré turned one from Griffiths for a single to mid-wicket to reach his 150-ball ton with 13 boundaries. It was his fourth championship hundred of the summer and the last action before the players left the field for bad light.

At the start of the day, Kent – resuming 96 runs behind on their overnight score of 83 for four – lost two wickets in the opening hour as Gloucestershire’s seamers made the most of overcast conditions.

David Payne removed Darren Stevens for 23 to a sharp low catch at mid-on after the ball appeared to hold up on the wicket causing the batsman to check his attempted straight drive.

In the next over Calum Haggett held his bat out against Liam Norwell to give keeper Gareth Roderick a regulation catch and make it 99 for six.

Sam Billings, with a 101-ball half-century, ensured there were no further scares for Kent before bad light and drizzle forced the players off for an early lunch with the hosts on 116 – a deficit of 63.

James Tredwell (3) fell soon after the resumption, lbw to Craig Miles after a late decision to shoulder arms, and Mitch Claydon (1) followed soon after, losing his off stump to the same bowler.

Miles, the pick of the visiting attack, collected a third wicket by snaring top-scorer Billings (73) with a slower off-cutter that moved up the St Lawrence slope to defeat the right-hander’s defensive push, then Griffiths (12) followed lbw soon after as Kent were dismissed for 164.