Hampshire v Kent

HALF-CENTURIES from James Tredwell and Geraint Jones took Kent to maximum batting bonus points and a step nearer avoiding first division relegation as the visitors continued to dominate proceedings on day two of their LV Championship match with Hampshire.

The title-chasing hosts and their skipper Shane Warne in particular, oozed frustration from every pore as Kent batted on to lunch in reaching 462 for seven to post five crucial batting bonus points – so much so, that leg-spinner Warne resorted to bowling a few bouncers in a bid to make something happen.

While Warne and Co were dropping a bowling point in their bid to overhaul leaders Sussex, Kent made the most of the sunny, near-perfect batting conditions at The Rose Bowl to pile on the runs.

Having lost Martin van Jaarsveld without addition to his overnight 112, he shouldered arms to the 12th ball of the day from David Balcombe to lose his middle and off stumps, Kent re-grouped through Jones and Tredwell and a seventh wicket stand worth 83 in 26 overs.

Jones, batting positively and fluently for the first time in weeks reached 50 from 75 balls and with nine fours, while Tredwell, fighting the pain from a swollen knee, moved his feet surprisingly well against Warne to get his half-century from 90 balls and with seven boundaries.

Their stand ended when Jones, in attempting to cut one too close to his body, dragged the ball onto his stumps against James Tomlinson to make it 425 for seven.

Scorecard
Kent first innings
J L Denly st Pothas b Warne 54
R W T Key lbw b Ervine 84
M van Jaarsveld b Balmcombe 112
M J Walker c Brown b Warne 38
D I Stevens c Pothas b Bruce 18
N J Dexter c Pothas b Balcombe 6
G O Jones b Tomlinson 63
J C Tredwell not out 62
R J McLaren not out 13
Extras 12

Total 462 for seven 129 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-122, 2-169, 3-249, 4-296, 5-310, 6-342, 7-425.

Bowling: Bruce 21-4-101-1, Tomlinson 21-6-81-1, Balcombe 27-5-94-2, Warne 41-6-124-2. Ervine 16-4-47-1, Carberry 4-1-8-0.