Bollinger rewards Key declaration – Day 3 Report

Kent looked to force the issue on day three of their LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Leicestershire at Canterbury, declaring 64 runs behind in their first innings before claiming a couple of swift wickets to put the pressure on their opponents.

Kent racked up 269 for seven thanks to Daniel Bell-Drummond (58), Darren Stevens (48) and Brendan Nash (45) before skipper Rob Key made the brave call to declare behind with eight overs of the day left to play.

Key's decision was rewarded by Australia left-armer Doug Bollinger who removed Matthew Boyce and night-watchman Anthony Ireland with successive balls.

Leicestershire reached the close at 39 for two to ensure a lead of 103 runs and, most significantly, hope of a result for either side in the match.

The away side, who had lost the toss and been inserted by their hosts on a washed out first day, failed to add to their overnight 333 for nine.

The innings lasted just five more balls this morning before Jigar Naik (41) was caught behind by Sam Billings off Bollinger, who finished with figures of three for 100.

Kent lost their first wicket on 31 when Sam Northeast was caught at cover by Ned Eckersley off Ben Raine.

Key (27) was next to head back into the pavilion, the captain getting a pull shot at Ireland wrong to allow wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien to run around and take a good catch.

The hosts then gained some momentum as the partnership of Bell-Drummond and Nash guided them to 139 for two.

Former West Indies batsman Nash was finally trapped lbw by Rob Taylor to end the stand six runs short of a century.

Bell-Drummond followed, having hit eight fours, when caught by Naik off Ireland, who finished with two for 47 to add to his half-century with the bat on Monday.

That left Kent on 164 for four and from there, Stevens took centre-stage, notching eight fours and a six as his side made it to 248 for six.

Ben Harmison was the man to depart along the way, lbw to Taylor (two for 40) with Kent on 194, before Stevens fell just short of his half-century when caught by Taylor off Naik.

Billings offered some indication the declaration was coming, hitting two sixes in his 38, and when he was bowled by Charlie Shreck, Key called his men in.

Bollinger then made sure it was a worthwhile move as he bowled Boyce (eight) before immediately trapping Ireland lbw to leave Leicestershire on 19 for two.

Bollinger was unable to complete his hat-trick and the visitors finished with Greg Smith and Eckersley unbeaten in the middle on 26 and four respectively.

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Sarah Morecombe