Gloucs make solid start in reply

Darren Stevens recorded his third Championship century of the season as Kent piled on the runs against Division Two rivals Gloucestershire on a rain-shortened second day. Responding to Kent's 474 all out, the visitors went in at stumps on 80 without loss after 29 overs to trail by 394 at the mid-point of this 162nd Canterbury Cricket Week clash.

Stevens, who earlier in the month was charged by the ICC for his failure to report a corrupt approach while playing for the Dhaka Gladiators in February, made light of the pressure to build on his overnight score of 98 not out.

Heavy morning showers had delayed Stevens and the resumption of Kent's first innings until umpires' inspections at 1.30pm and 2pm, with play finally allowed to start at 2.20pm. The 37-year-old Stevens needed only two deliveries to reach his hundred by clipping a loose delivery from left-arm seamer David Payne to the ropes at square leg for the 18th boundary of a 127-ball ton.

His innings ended selflessly for 126 when - with his side needing seven runs for a fifth batting bonus point and with only four balls remaining before the 110-over cut-off - Stevens top-edged an attempted pull against Benny Howell to be caught by Michael Klinger at short extra cover.

Home captain James Tredwell followed in the next over for a season's best 48 when he steered a Craig Miles legcutter to Chris Dent at second slip to make it 399 for 8. With useful double-figure contributions throughout the tail, including an unbeaten 44 by Calum Haggett, Kent reached 474 before last man Charlie Shreck lost his leg stump just after 4.30pm.

Meanwhile, Kent confirmed that Matthew Coles, their 23-year-old strike bowler, has turned down a contract extension and is set to leave the club.