Kent v Durham day two

Kent's grip on their place in the county championship top-flight looks precarious at best after Durham reached 289-6 for a lead of 64 runs at the mid-point of their final LV County Championship match of the summer in Canterbury.

Responding to Kent’s disappointing first innings of 225, Durham survived through to lunch without loss but then Kent hit back taking three wickets in the mid and final sessions of Thursday’s play.

The hosts, who need a draw at least to ensure their survival in Division 1, gave Durham’s openers a life each before finally sharpening their act.

Ben Harmison received the first chance, when on nine, as Martin van Jaarsveld downed a rare chance at second slip off the bowling of Yasir Arafat.

Then, with Durham's score on 59, Michael Di Venuto (39) drove hard at Tredwell only to be downed by Justin Kemp diving to his left at mid-on.

Soon after lunch, Harmison’s rash sweep shot against James Tredwell led to a good diving catch on the run by Darren Stevens at mid-wicket then, just 10 short of his century, Di Venuto drove rashly at Martin Saggers to edge to keeper Geraint Jones.

Six overs later Saggers struck again when Dale Benkenstein (4) dragged onto his stumps when trying to drive at a very full-length ball.

After tea Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s turgid 75 minute stay for 20 ended when he went lbw to Robbie Joseph, but then Will Smith’s excellent knock of 81 took Durham beyond 250 and a second batting bonus point.

The second new ball helped haul Kent back into contention when Ryan McLaren snared Smith leg before with an off-cutter and then, two balls later, he pegged back the off stump of night watchman Mark Davies (0) to give the hosts a second bowling bonus point.

Kent innings

Kent batted on for 25 minutes and almost eight overs in adding a further 35 to their tally to reach 235 and secure one batting bonus point in their quest to stave off relegation.

It was last man Saggers (10 not out) who cover drove Callum Thorp for four to see Kent to 200 but, in his next over Thorp had James Tredwell caught behind when Phil Mustard grabbed an edged cut at the second attempt.

Tredwell had second top-scored with 38 from 52 balls and hit seven boundaries.

Steve and Ben Harmison claimed six wickets between them while Davies and Thorp bagged tow apiece to dismiss Kent within 60 overs.

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