Kent 32-0 (2nd innings) lead by 116 runs

IF KENT'S supporters needed any further proof that the club’s seam bowling department lacks depth and first team cover, then they were handed it on a plate at Fenner’s where an inexperienced light blues’ batting order comfortably reached 276 for six before declaring 84 behind.

The Cambridge University Centre of Cricketing Excellence had little or no trouble in coping against a Kent seam attack that included former England Under-19 pacemen David Stiff and Simon Cusden as well as all-rounder Matt Dennington, who was making his 12th first-class appearance.

Though Cusden finished with two for 62 his figures were hugely flattering, while Stiff claimed the last wicket to fall before the declaration at a cost of 53 runs – to make matters worse the pair conceded 15 no balls and three wides between them.

Dennington at least maintained an economy rate below two an over in his return of one for 29, but the incitement on all three was that Kent’s most accurate seamer proved to be 16 year-old debutant James Iles.

The Maidstone Grammar School pupil opened with four successive maidens and was unlucky not to get the wicket of Cambridge century-maker Zoheb Sharif who edged between second slip and gully.

The youngster, who plays Kent League cricket for Lordswood, finished his eight-over stint with six maidens and only conceded 10 runs.

After the let-off Sharif, a shot-making left-hander formerly with Essex and Derbyshire, went on to make his second century in eight days having taken one off Northamptonshire last week.

Sharif helped add 150 for the third wicket with Nick Lee (43) who became one of two victims for the promising leg-spinners of Joe Denly, who bowled with good control to take two for 40 and comfortably out-bowl Kent’s only other spinner, Rob Ferley, who finished wicketless after 10 overs.

The hope is that Denly perceivers with his flighted wrist spin which, coupled with his athletic fielding and stylish batting, may yet prove to be his ticket into the county’s limited overs side.

Kent extended their lead to 116 in reaching 32 without loss through to the close.