NORTHAMPTONSHIRE were showing some resolve on the third afternoon of their championship clash with Kent in sun-baked Canterbury.

Having lost a wicket to the sixth ball of their innings, the visitors rallied through Tom Huggins (28) and Jim Cook (64) to reach 111 for one after 31 overs having been set a mammoth victory target of 582.

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

Earlier, Kent 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.