SURREY bowler Martin Bicknell bagged his 1000th first-class wicket at The Oval to steer Kent nearer to their first Frizzell Championship defeat of the season.

The former England seamer reached his landmark with his 22nd delivery of the final day to remove Kent all-rounder Matt Dennington for 12 and reduce the visitors to 284 for five.

Dennington, on his championship debut, had been dropped in the previous over by Azhar Mahmood at second slip before Bicknell struck just five deliveries later.

Pushing at a lifting away-swinger, Dennington edged to Jon Batty to take Bicknell’s career tally into four figures in his 272nd first-class game.

Rob Key ploughed on at the other end to reach an unbeaten 146, but with a slender lead of just 44, he and Kent will need to bat through until tea at the very least to prevent a landslide Surrey win.