Drawing Comfort

Kent and Leicestershire had every reason for exuberance after a thrilling fourth day in Canterbury on Wednesday – one of those pleasant surprises in which the County Championship specialises, writes Andy Wilson.

Ultimately the loss of a few overs before lunch may well have denied both side the chance to win, but credit the two teams for conjuring a breathless final session, in which the old warhorses Darren Stevens and Charlie Shreck each excelled against his former county, and Daniel Bell-Drummond provided another reminder of his talent with his first century of the campaign.

Leicestershire’s winless run may now stretch to a 36^th match, but their loyalists are more convinced than ever that under the upbeat leadership of Wasim Khan and Mark Cosgrove, it is only a matter of time before they sing a victory song – where better than against Kevin Pietersen’s Surrey at The Oval next week?

Meanwhile Kent will relish another home fixture, against a Glamorgan team also looking for their first win, but reasonably content to have competed strongly in consecutive draws against Leicestershire, Surrey and Derbyshire – and having offered a sign of their expectation of challenging for promotion with a controversial declaration against Derbyshire on Tuesday.

Division Two is bubbling up nicely.