KENT skipper David Fulton opted against enforcing the follow-on in Canterbury today, but was soon nursing a painful blow for his troubles.

Batting again with a first innings lead of 195, Fulton opened the innings but lasted only four balls before retiring hurt on two.

The right-hander ducked into a bouncer from Mohammad Akram and the force of the blow left him nursing a cut head just above his forehead.

With blood dripping from the wound and down over his whites, Fulton received treatment on the field from Kent physiotherapist Martyn Sigley but then walked from the field for ice treatment.

Alex Loudon replaced him, and he duly got off the mark with a clipped four to the base of the Canterbury lime tree, as Kent extended their lead beyond 200.