KENT’S overseas pace bowler Ian Butler proved a big hit with the bat to help the county save face on day two of their rain-ruined Frizzell Championship match with Surrey.

The Kiwi Test player hit a county-best 51 not out from 66 balls with seven fours and looked set to better his career-best of 52 as he and Rob Ferley mounted a partial recovery.

Resuming on their parlous overnight score of 136 for eight, Ferley (16) and Butler added 50 for the ninth wicket in just 16 overs to move the second-placed hosts on to 192 for eight after 61 overs.

Some 58 overs were lost to three separate rain breaks on Wednesday that disrupted Kent’s flow and concentration whilst allowing Surrey’s bowlers time to re-group and re-charge their batteries.

As a result, ball dominated bat as Kent slid from 43 for one to reach 136 for eight by stumps at almost 7pm.