KENT'S England batsman Ed Smith was seemingly leading his county to victory until rain set in at Canterbury, forcing this afternoon's game to be abandoned as a draw.

Visitors Surrey posted 237 for seven after electing to bat first at a wild and windy St Lawrence ground in their second pre-season friendly.

Ali Brown top-scored for the star-studded visitors with a typically hard-hit 70, while Jonathan Batty (40) and Mark Ramprakash (38) made the other noteworthy contributions.

Winter recruit David Stiff was the pick of the Kent attack with two for 51, but Alamgir Sheriyar returned from a groin strain to send down seven accurate overs to finish with one for 17.

In reply, Kent lost Michael Carberry and David Fulton in quick succession, but Ed Smith raced to an unbeaten 101 with 22 fours and a five rain arrived to halt the run chase on 144 for two after 22 of their 50-over allocation.