ALL-ROUNDER’S CENTURY PROVES IN VAIN

Darren Stevens said frustration was the over-riding emotion as Kent’s winning start to the Specsavers Championship season ended with a rain-hit draw against Leicestershire.

The entire first day at Grace Road was lost to the weather, with only 47.3 overs possible on day two.

The 13 points Kent collected kept them second in Division 2, three points adrift of Nottinghamshire but Stevens said: “We’re a bit disappointed to lose so much time to the weather when we came into the match with so much momentum.

“Then we didn’t bowl as well as we can and there were a couple of missed chances as well.”

“Batting-wise, when we’re under the pump a little bit, I always try and put the bowlers under pressure and it went nicely for me and it swung back in our favour.”

Stevens made exactly 100 in Kent’s total of 462-9 declared, adding 152 with Adam Rouse (60) – a Kent sixth-wicket record against Leicestershire. James Tredwell hit 55 and Matt Coles 56. Stevens reached his half-century in just 30 balls on Sunday night before making 100 from 98 at his former stomping ground, adding: “I didn’t realise it was my first century against Leicestershire,

“I got a 90 back at Tunbridge Wells a few years ago but I got a second-ball nought last year, so it was pleasing.”

Leicestershire made 420 batting first, led by Colin Ackermann’s 89. In their second innings, they reached 61-2.

When Kent began their reply, Dieter Klein, swinging the ball back in to the right-handers, quickly pinned Sean Dickson leg before (0) and bowled Joe Denly (10) with a full delivery before a partnership of 57 between Daniel BellDrummond and Sam Northeast went some way towards repairing the visitors’ fortunes.

Wells dismissed Bell-drummond (35) with his first ball, and Klein returned to have both Northeast (40) and Gidman (24) caught edging loose drives.

Kent were in trouble but Stevens played as though the score was 400 rather than 150, hitting through the line of the ball with supreme confidence.

Kent host Sussex at Tunbridge Wells in a game which starts tomorrow (Friday).