KENT appear to be cantering toward an impressive win over Northants after setting the visitors a mammoth victory target of 582 on day three of this four-day Frizzell Championship match.

The hosts finally declared their second innings on 318 when Ed Smith became fifth wicket down for an impressive 156 that included 19 fours and three towering sixes.

He and Matt Walker (34) had added 108 in 24 overs for the fourth wicket before Walker perished trying to hit Paul Rofe out of the ground.

Smith was in 10 of equalling his season’s best score when he too fell trying for quick runs and went leg before to Johann Louw.

Northamptonshire’s reply started horribly when Tim Roberts worked across the line to Amjad Khan’s sixth ball of the innings to lose his middle and off stumps and make it naught for one.