Kent v Leicestershire: Hosts' declaration gives hope of result
Last updated on .From the section Counties
| LV= County Championship D2, The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence |
| Close, day three: Kent 269-7, Leicestershire 333 & 39-2 |
| Kent 5pts, Leicestershire 5pts |
| Match scorecard |
Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond hit his second fifty this summer as his side's declaration set up the possibility of a positive finish against Leicestershire.
They lost Sam Northeast and Rob Key early on day three after the visitors failed to add to their overnight 333.
But Bell-Drummond (58) and Brendan Nash (45) steadied the ship before Darren Stevens followed up his earlier 3-48 against his old club with 48.
Kent then declared 64 runs behind on 269-7 and Leicestershire ended on 39-2.
Australian paceman Doug Bollinger dismissed Matthew Boyce and nightwatchman Anthony Ireland with successive balls, giving Kent hope of a first victory of the season, after they lost their opener to Worcestershire.
BBC Radio Kent's Matt Cole:
"There is still a chance for either side to win this after an enterprising declaration by Kent skipper Rob Key, and some hostile bowling from Australian Doug Bollinger taking two late Leicestershire wickets.
"Apart from the evident international quality of Bollinger, Kent's highlights of the day were another patient 50 from Daniel Bell-Drummond - who weathered a difficult early spell to keep his fine run of form going - and some late fireworks from another young talent Sam Billings, clean-hitting two glorious sixes in his 38.
"For Leicestershire, the consistency of Rob Taylor and Anthony Ireland with the ball spoilt Kent's attempts to build a first-innings lead. After his maiden half-century on day two, Ireland bustled in with vim and vigour. If he keeps up this intensity for the rest of the season it could be one to remember.
"It is a shame these evenly-matched sides didn't have a full four days to play on a wicket that has given a fascinating contest between bat and ball, we can only hope one side or the other takes the initiative to set up a thrilling climax."
