Kent batters flay Sri Lanka Development XI bowlers

Sri Lanka Development XI bowlers were put on a leather hunt by the Kent batters, particularly Darren Stevens and George Linda hitting centuries to score 418 for 6 on day one stump of the four day game in Canterbury.

Kent, thought lost four wickets for 95 runs recovered impressively with Stevens, the 46-year-old allrounder thumped 168 off just 142 balls-including 24 fours and fives sixes and Linde making 107 off 141 balls. The pair added 264stand for the fifth wicket to lead their side’s recovery.

After teenage seamer Yasiru Rodrigo removed Tawanda Muyeye with the second ball of his second over, Dhananjaya Lakshan s t ruck twice. Udith Madushan then trapped Jack Leaning leg before to leave Kent reeling at 95 for 4 before Kent made a great recovery to finish off the day in a strong position. Madushan removed Stevens when the score was 359--his second scalp of the innings but by then Kent had propelled themselves to a strong position.

Stevens raised his 34th first-class hundred for Kent - and 37th overall - from 96 balls after the interval, passing 13,000 first- class runs for the county he joined from his native Leicestershire nearly 18 years ago in the process.

Meanwh i l e, South African allrounder Linde - who joined Kent on a twoyear, multi-format deal in January - reached his ton from 133 deliveries, with 10 fours and two sixes, before he was caught in the cordon trying to reversesweep legspinner Ashen Bandara.

Debutant Billy Mead and Hamidullah Qadri saw the hosts through to stumps without further loss, closing on 15 not out and 19 not out respectively.

Kent 418 fir 6 (90) (Marcus O’Rirdan 31, Joe Denly 35, Jack Leaning 22, Darren Stevens 168, George Linde 107, Billy Mead 15n.o., Hamidullah Qadri 19, Udith Madushan 2/75, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/92)