KENT once more missed out on batting bonus points but were at least saved from the ignominy of following on when Middlesex elected to bat again with a first innings lead of 159.

Having dismissed Kent for a paltry 192 inside 61.3 overs, acting captain Ben Hutton elected to bat again to prevent his bowlers from further toil on a humid second afternoon.

Matt Walker was left high and dry with 50 not out and Ed Smith played a superb 77-ball innings of 63, but otherwise Kent played abysmally.

The top six all got themselves out with poor shot selection, thus exposing the tail to Glenn McGrath who cleaned up with four for 59.