Bell-Drummond’s elegant 70 steers Kent to calmer waters
Kent 113 for 3 (Bell-Drummond 70, Leaning 30*, Worrall 2-33) vs Surrey
Daniel Bell-Drummond hit a chic 70 as Kent reached 113 for 3 on day one in every of their Vitality County Championship with Surrey at Canterbury.
The in-form Kent skipper placed on a stand of precisely 100 for the third wicket with Jack Leaning, who was 30 not out at stumps, after rain worn out all however 11 balls of the primary two periods on the Spitfire Ground.
Dan Worrall took 2 for 33 to cut back Kent to eight for two within the sixth over, however Surrey went 30 overs with out a wicket earlier than Tom Lawes broke the partnership when he had Bell-Drummond lbw shortly earlier than the shut.
The Kent and England legend Derek Underwood, who handed away on Monday aged 78, was honoured earlier than the beginning of play, with each units of gamers standing in entrance of the Underwood & Knott stand for a minute’s silence. Black armbands had been worn and a second was additionally taken to recollect Raman Subba Row of Surrey, who died on Wednesday on the age of 92.
It was a bitterly chilly day for the die-hards on the St. Lawrence and the climate worn out 57 overs earlier than situations lastly improved, or no less than acquired much less damp, late within the afternoon.
The guests, who had do with out Jamie Overton resulting from a again damage, gained the toss and selected to bowl, however the begin had already been delayed till 1.25pm they usually managed simply 11 deliveries earlier than unhealthy mild compelled them off once more, the wind at that time being too robust for the floodlights for use.
When play ultimately resumed at 4.15pm, Surrey struck early. Zak Crawley’s first Kent look of the season noticed him make simply 5 earlier than Worrall had him caught by Jamie Smith at third slip and in his subsequent over he trapped Ben Compton lbw for 3.
The partnership Kent urgently wanted got here when Leaning joined Bell-Drummond they usually batted the house facet into calmer waters.
Bell-Drummond, who already has two centuries this season, punched Worrall for 4 by cowl to convey up his 50, however he fell within the third-last over of the day when he was trapped leg earlier than by Lawes. Night-watcher George Garrett was unbeaten on one at stumps.