Sam Billings’ third First Class century and three wickets for Darren Stevens helped Kent move towards victory on day three against Gloucestershire.

With Billings and Stevens having moved Kent into a dominant position with an unbroken 205-run partnership on day two, the pair continued to make hay early on the third day, putting on Kent’s highest ever fifth wicket stand in the County Championship. The pair’s efforts helped their side eventually declare with a lead of 312 on 533/6, before Gloucestershire fell to 34/4 before stumps were drawn on a rain and light-affected day.

Resuming on 346/4, and already leading their hosts by 125 runs, Billings and Stevens pushed on on a grey third morning. Having been 86 not out overnight, Billings followed his teammate to three figures inside the first half an hour of the day, reaching his third First Class ton, and second in County Championship cricket, from 128 balls in a wonderful innings that had featured 18 boundaries.

Drizzle brought the players from the field shortly afterwards, and when they returned after an early lunch had been taken, Stevens’ 161-ball stay at the crease was ended as he edged Craig Miles to Michael Klinger at slip to go for 140. The wicket ended a partnership of 258 with Billings, Kent’s highest ever for the fifth wicket in Championship cricket, and only 19 short of Kent’s highest ever in First Class cricket for the fifth wicket, made by Frank Wooley and Les Ames against the New Zealanders back in 1931.

Stevens’ first three-figure score of the season came at the perfect time for him, too, as he still aims to secure a contract at the club for next season. His work for the day was far from over, as he would later wreak havoc in the Gloucestershire top order with the ball-in-hand.

Will Gidman replaced him at the crease, and though Stevens had departed, the runs continued to flow. Billings passed his previous best First Class score of 131 as he and Gidman put on 50 together, and brought up his 150 from 190 balls. The England wicket-keeper was eventually dismissed for a high quality, 202-ball 171 when he clipped Liam Norwell to Miles at mid-off, leaving the field to a well-deserved standing ovation from the Kent fans in attendance.

The visitors were sitting pretty on 490/6 at that stage, already with a lead of 269, and had extended their advantage to 312, with Gidman passing 50, by the time an early tea was taken when the rain returned.

Skipper Sam Northeast took the opportunity to declare over the tea break, and his bowlers set the tone with the ball immediately as Kent continued to stamp their dominance on the game.

Stevens caught Chris Dent off his own bowling for just 1 before debutant Hardus Viljoen picked up his sixth wicket of the match when he had Gareth Roderick caught by James Tredwell at second slip.

Will Tavaré was bowled by Stevens for a duck offering no shot, before the all-rounder picked up his third wicket of the innings – the prize one of Michael Klinger – who was caught by Matt Coles for 10.

Bad light once again saw the players leave the field shortly afterwards, and they did not return, with Gloucestershire seemingly staring down the barrel of defeat at 34/4 at stumps, requiring another 278 runs just to make Kent bat again.

Weather-allowing, the visitors will be looking to push on to their fourth County Championship victory of the season. Essex’s win inside three days against Leicestershire is bad news for Kent, however, as their local rivals remain in pole position to claim the single promotion spot in Division Two heading into the final few games.

Speaking after play had concluded for the day, Billings said: “I’m happy to have got some good runs and equally happy to have put us in this position.

“It was also great to spend a great deal of time at the crease with Darren. He is a great man and a great friend and it was good to bat with him for so long.

 

Specsavers County Championship Division Two, Gloucestershire v Kent at Bristol, Aug 23-26 2016:

Stumps, day three: Gloucestershire 221 all out (Marshall 58; Viljoen 5-55) and 34/4 (Stevens 3-11) trail Kent 533/6 declared (Billings 171, Stevens 140, Bell-Drummond 65, Gidman 58 not out, Northeast 54) by 278 runs.

Gloucestershire: Roderick*, Dent, Tavaré, Klinger, Marshall, Mustard†, J Taylor, Miles, Payne, Norwell, M Taylor

Kent: Bell-Drummond, Dickson, Denly, Northeast*, Stevens, Billings†, Gidman, Tredwell, Coles, Claydon, Viljoen

Toss uncontested, Kent elected to field

Full scorecard available here.