Harris five-for keeps Kent in check
Friday 20th July 2012
Glamorgan bowler James Harris bagged his first five-wicket haul to restrict Kent's first-innings superiority to 456 for nine on another showery day in Canterbury.
The wiry former England Under-19 seamer, who has recently recovered from a groin operation, came into this match with only three first-class scalps to his name from as many championship appearances all summer.
His haul of five for 118 from 33 overs on the opening two days in Kent has at least given Glamorgan half a chance of escaping the St Lawrence ground with a draw.
The day started with Kent in the box seat, resuming on 310 for four and with two century-makers still at the crease, Kent had pretensions of scoring 500-plus and sights set on a mid-afternoon declaration.
Brendan Nash and Darren Stevens fell within the space of 12 deliveries and for much of the first session Kent were made to work hard for their runs.
Huw Waters made the early breakthroughs, having Nash caught behind off an airy drive for 114 then, in his next over, a slower ball forced Stevens to check his planned drive and merely chip the ball to extra cover and go for 123.
Having been dropped on six, James Tredwell reached 11 before he nicked to Graeme Wagg, the substitute fielder at slip, off the bowling of James Allenby, who then moved to slip himself to catch Matt Coles for a cameo 26 when prodding forward to one that lifted and left from Dean Cosker.
Mark Davies also chipped in to the home cause with a bright 24 with four fours before Harris whistled one through his defence to make it 418 for nine.
With the floodlights on from 2.10pm and the weather closing in, Geraint Jones made the most of support from Kent's number 11, Charlie Shreck.
The former Nottinghamshire bowler hit his first six in first-class cricket in this his 120th innings while, at the other end, Jones completed a 74-ball half-century with three fours and a six.
The former England wicketkeeper had reached an unbeaten 69 and Shreck a heady seven when the rain arrived at 2.20pm to force an eventual abandonment for the day at 6.05pm.
Click here to save with pre-purchase, print at home tickets – available until 9am on each day.
Photo Sarah Ansell SarahCanterbury.com