Kent’s seam attack got a decent workout on the final day of their First Class match against Loughborough MCCU at Canterbury.
On the third and final day at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, overs under the belts was the order of the day for the Kent bowling unit, with the side’s first County Championship game of the season starting at Worcestershire on Sunday.
Daniel Bell-Drummond had smashed an unbeaten 206 on the first day as the batsmen had an opportunity to get some time in the middle, before only six and a half overs were possible on a second day ruined by rain.
The game, unsurprisingly, meandered to a draw on the third day, but not before Matt Coles, Darren Stevens, Mitch Claydon and Matt Hunn had all got their names in the wickets column, with Basil Akram making a century for the students.
Loughborough MCCU eventually declared their innings on 313/8 when the captains shook hands shortly before 5pm; Kent having made 393/7d on Tuesday.
With Loughborough MCCU resuming with the score on 19/3, Stevens struck with the first ball of the morning, as Nitish Kumar edged behind to Adam Rouse without scoring.
Robbie White made 30 before being trapped lbw to give Matt Coles his third wicket, while Michael Burgess (51) and Charles Lowen (55) both made half-centuries before being bowled by Mitch Claydon.
Matt Hunn picked up the final wicket of the day, and the match, when he bowled Sam Grant for 52 shortly before the close. Moments later, Akram went to a well made hundred from 135 balls; his second in as many weeks, after also reaching the landmark against Surrey at The Oval last week. The 23-year-old is currently without a county, having been released by Hampshire after making a solitary 50-over appearance for their first team last season.
Kent’s attentions now turn towards their game in Worcester, which starts on Sunday, where they will be looking to get their County Championship campaign off to a positive start against a side relegated from Division One last year.
Match drawn: Kent v Loughborough MCCU at Canterbury, Apr 5-7, 2016:
Loughborough MCCU 313/8 declared (Akram 100 not out; Coles 3-75) drew with Kent 393/7 declared (Bell-Drummond 206 not out; Cook 3-64).
Full scorecard available here.