Denly has nephew for company in guiding Kent to hard-earned draw
An unbeaten 41 by 18-year-old Jaydn Denly in a solid sixth-wicket stand alongside his uncle Joe helped guide Kent to a draw at Essex.
After a rain delay, Essex declared on their overnight 257 for four, setting Kent a target of 375.
Essex seamer Jamie Porter cut into Kent’s top order before firstclass debutant Denly and his uncle ate up 16 overs putting on 51 before the latter was out for 39.
Kent, whose batsmen wore black armbands to mark the death of their former spin bowler Derek Underwood, steadied the innings from 65 for five and, following another rain break, finished on 164 for seven.
Surrey fell short in an exciting fourth-day run chase against Somerset as their Division One match at the Oval ended in a draw.
Chasing 209 in 19 overs, Dan Lawrence and Jamie Smith hit 32 off the seventh and eighth overs to take their stand to 90 and set up the prospect of a first win of the season for the champions.
But Surrey lost five wickets in the next five overs and the players shook hands with five overs remaining.
Surrey finished on 123 for five, with Lawrence unbeaten on 53 from 34 balls.
At the Utilita Bowl, Nick Gubbins batted out the final day as
Hampshire secured a draw against
Lancashire.
Gubbins crafted an unbeaten 69 from 179 balls to end any chance of a Hampshire collapse, while James Vince and Tom Prest were equally stubborn in their resistance as the hosts finished on 179 for four.
Matthew Potts scored his maiden first-class century to help Durham earn a draw on their return to Division One action against
Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Warwickshire began the final day scenting victory as their opponents, following on, resumed on 12 for two, still 169 behind.
But stubborn batting, led by nightwatchman Potts (149 not out), meant Durham closed on 293 for six to earn a draw.
Nottinghamshire’s game with
Worcestershire ended in a draw after the final day’s play at Trent Bridge was washed out.