Rain denies Fell maiden hundred

Kent 324 (Harmison 96, Stevens 95) drew with Worcestershire 284 for 8 (Fell 94*, Shantry 54, Tredwell 5-51)
Scorecard

Worcestershire's Tom Fell cruelly missed out on a maiden first-class century as the rain-wrecked LV= County Championship Division Two fixture with Kent squelched to a draw at New Road.

The 19-year-old Oxford Brookes student took another step towards a full-time contract, extending his career-best innings to 94 not out as the home side advanced to 284 for 8, still 40 runs behind.

Only 44 balls were bowled on the final day but both sides picked up an extra bonus point and Jack Shantry, who partnered Fell in an eighth-wicket stand of 126, did reach a milestone when completing his first half-century.

While Fell continued to play a measured role - he hit 12 fours from 162 balls in all - the left handed Shantry (54) targeted James Tredwell. He planted the offspinner's first delivery over the fence at long on and in his following over he hit successive balls for six and four only to be bowled by the next delivery.

This gave Tredwell a return of 5 for 51, his best in the Championship for two years, but like Fell he was denied further success when rain set in after lunch. The umpires finally abandoned the match shortly after 3pm.

For Fell it was still a major stride towards his "ultimate aim" for the season of earning a full contract. Currently he is on a summer engagement after playing for Oxford MCCCU earlier in the season.

His name can now be added those of England fast bowler Stuart Broad and Leicestershire's limited overs captain, Josh Cobb, on a list of Oakham School cricketers who came through to the county game.

It was only 13 months ago that he ended his career in the School 1st XI, having registered eight successive scores of 50 or more, including two centuries, during last season. With Worcestershire he progressed in the academy and widened his experience playing for Wolverhampton in the Birmingham Premier League.