Kent had to settle for a draw at The Nevill Ground against Leicestershire, despite centuries from Rob Key and Brendan Nash.

As was the case in their previous game at Essex, Kent lost vital time when in a favourable position and had to settle for a draw in LV= County Championship Division 2.

As well as the two hundreds, Darren Stevens produced an explosive 97 from just 58 balls but the rain-affected game petered out into a stalemate on Saturday.

Kent declared on 353-3 but the captains shook hands on the draw with Leicestershire reaching 139-1.

The opening day was limited to 21 overs by rain but the hosts, looking for their first win of the campaign ended Wednesday the happier of the two teams after reducing Leicestershire to 74-4 after the visitors had won the toss and elected to bat.

Day two was a complete wash-out but on Friday play resumed and Kent once again had the upper hand, bowling Leicestershire out for 186, to deny the visitors any batting bonus points.

Former Leicestershire favourite Stevens took 5-39 for his first five-wicket haul of the season.

An unbroken second-wicket partnership of 144 between Key and Nash led Kent into the final day of the game firmly in control.

Daniel Bell-Drummond was the only wicket lost, trapped leg before wicket for eight.
Kent, resuming on 159-1 on Saturday, continued where they had left off, as Key clocked up his 48th first-class hundred and second in successive matches.

Key’s departure on 106 was followed by fireworks from Stevens, which included seven sixes and eight fours, and along with Nash’s 128, the hosts declared just before lunch.

Skipper Geraint Jones – filling in for James Tredwell, away on England duty – had hoped his side had enough time to bowl Leicestershire out for a second time and claim a first championship win.

But the visitors also mastered the drier Nevill surface and a second-wicket stand of 128, from Greg Smith and Ned Eckersley – both unbeaten on 65 – led to the honours being shared.

Kent have now played six games in the championship but without a win, they sit bottom of the pile.