ANDREW SYMONDS had a hand in four wickets to fall as Lancashire reached the mid-point of Kent’s Tunbridge Wells Cricket Week in trouble on 246 for six.

Needing 466 to avoid the follow-on after Kent’s mammoth total of 615 all out – their best at The Nevill – the visitors lost six wickets in 52 overs before bad light stopped play with four overs remaining.

Symonds started the ball rolling for Kent with the run out of Mark Chilton, and then bowled medium-pace and off-spin to end the day with excellent figures of three for 46.

The Queenslander showed great athleticism to follow through in his run out and throw on the turn to run out Chilton (37) at the non-striker’s end to make the opening breakthrough with 83 on the board.

He then had Mal Loye (1) caught behind with a leg-cutter, Stuart Law (17) well held at second slip by Matt Walker after an edged drive and Ian Sutcliffe leg before to a nipping off-cutter.

After an expensive 14-over burst of nought for 93 from Mohammad Sami, Kent’s support bowlers finally got in the act in support of Symonds.

David Stiff got one to bounce to have Glen Chapple snaffled by Walker then Alamgir Sheriyar moved one in through the air to have Alec Swann leg before for 19.

The red rose county go into day three training by 369 runs, requiring a further 220 to avoid following on.

Kent might have made more progress but for a hamstring strain for their veteran spinner Min Patel.

The left-armer was off the field receiving treatment for a hamstring strain for much of the afternoon but will hope to play a part in the Lancashire second innings.