FOLLOWING their first County Championship win against Gloucestershire, Kent’s hope on building momentum was thwarted by a resolute Hampshire team.

Once again, James Tredwell lost the toss and his team were forced to spend a long time in the field in the searing Canterbury heat as Hampshire took few chances in occupying the crease rather than looking to force the pace of the game.

On a beautiful batting pitch, Hampshire crawled to 262-3 off 96 overs in the first day.

In the second morning they managed to raise their scoring rate to three an over before declaring on 405 with one wicket remaining.

Former Kent opener Michael Carberry top scored with 154, while Calum Haggett and Tredwell each claimed three wickets.

Kent showed more urgency as Robert Key (180) and Brendan Nash (126) helped themselves to centuries and Daniel Bell-Drummond compiled a career best 79 to help the team to 513 all out.

There was no intent from Hampshire to set a target and once the 108 deficit had been passed, they provided little entertainment in reaching 200-4 in 87 overs, Tredwell claiming three more wickets.

On Sunday, Kent returned to T20 action and as there was no chance of them progressing to the latter stages, took the opportunity to give games to younger players and were rewarded with an eight run victory over the Hampshire Royals in Southampton.

Bell-Drummond, Sam Billings and Fabien Cowdrey were the main contributors in Kent’s 143.

All Kent’s bowlers did well to restrict the Royals to 135-8 despite Neil McKenzie’s 47 off 34 balls. Tomorrow evening sees Kent Spitfires entertain Sussex Sharks at Canterbury before visiting Surrey at the Oval on Friday, hosting Hampshire on Monday and finishing the campaign at Hove against Sussex next Wednesday.

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