KENT are struggling in their bid to bat out the final two and a half sessions of the match and force a draw with Surrey after the visitors declared just before noon in Canterbury.

Jonathan Batty called time on the innings once his team reached 402 for eight for the maximum five batting bonus points.

That meant Kent were batting again by noon with a first innings deficit of 176 and intent only on survival.

Sadly Ed Smith lasted just two deliveries before he edged a James Ormond leg-cutter into the gloves of Jonathan Batty to bag a pair.

Alex Loudon went back to an Ormond shooter to go leg before, then Michael Bevan’s dismal run continued when he edged one to Rikki Clarke at slip to go without scoring.

Ormond duly went into lunch on three for 14 to leave Kent deep in trouble.