A rapid century from Darren Stevens lit up Canterbury Week as Kent took control of their County Championship game with Gloucestershire.

Having lost the opening session of the day due to rain, Kent ploughed on from their position of being 334 for 6 overnight to add another 140 useful runs before Gloucestershire closed on 80 for 0.

Stevens was once again the star attraction as he comfortably passed three figures in the opening over of the afternoon session.

The all-rounder was quickly into his stride plundering 22 boundaries in his 166 ball knock, however he was to lose his wicket as Kent went for the extra bowling point, skying the ball to Michael Klinger off Ben Howell’s bowling.

At the other end, captain James Tredwell went quietly about his business compiling 48, but he was to nick through to second slip in the next over.

Calum Haggett (a career best 44 not out ), Mitchell Claydon (17) and Charlie Shreck (10) all added valuable runs at the end of the innings as Kent posted their mammoth score.

However, the sun baked Canterbury pitch offered little in the evening session with Klinger and Chris Dent comfortably seeing Gloucestershire through to the close without alarm.

 

 

Kent won the toss and elected to bat

Kent side: Northeast, Key, Bell-Drummond, Nash, Harmison, Stevens, Jones, Tredwell, Claydon, Haggett, Shreck.

Gloucestershire side: Klinger, Dent, Roderick, A Gidman, Marshall, Howell, W Gidman, Smith, Payne, Miles, Norwell.

Close of play day two: Kent 474 all out (Stevens 126, Harmison 106), Gloucestershire 80 for 0.

Pictures supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com