Hunn hits back after Godleman hundred

Kent 27 for 0 trail Derbyshire 253 (Godleman 108, Hunn 3-45) by 226 runs
Scorecard

Matt Hunn led a spirited Kent fightback after opener Billy Godleman's second century in successive matches threatened to put Derbyshire in control on an eventful opening day of the LV= County Championship Division Two game at Derby.

Kent lost wicketkeeper and England batsman Sam Billings with a dislocated finger in the third over and the decision to bowl first looked questionable when Godleman's 108 put the home side in a strong position shortly before tea.

But Hunn, with 3 for 45 from 21 overs, started a collapse that saw Derbyshire lose their last seven wickets for 75 and in reply, Kent were 27 without loss at stumps.

The day started on a worrying note for Kent and England when Billings hurt his left hand taking the 13th ball from the excellent Hunn and was taken to hospital where x-rays confirmed there was no break.

Daniel Bell-Drummond deputised until England Under-19 wicketkeeper Ryan Davies arrived mid-afternoon to take over but, by then, a Kent attack minus the rested Matt Coles and Darren Stevens had allowed Derbyshire to prosper against bowling that offered too much width.

Godleman was particularly severe on Ivan Thomas, taking five fours from 13 balls, on his way to a half-century as he dominated the opening stand with Ben Slater who was bowled by a ball from Hunn which seemed to swing late just before lunch.

Kent at least struck early after the interval when Chesney Hughes' unconvincing innings ended. He edged Calum Haggett to second slip where James Tredwell held on diving to his left but Godleman and Wayne Madsen reasserted Derbyshire's dominance with a stand of 62 in 21 overs.

Tighter bowling had slowed Godleman's progress and he needed 85 balls to complete his second fifty but when he edged Haggett to second slip, Derbyshire should have capitalised on his efforts but instead the innings fell away.

Hunn found more late swing to bowl Madsen after tea which sparked a collapse in which five wickets fell for 23, three of them in ten balls without a run scored.

With Shiv Thakor unable to resume his innings after he was struck second ball on the helmet by Hunn, it needed some uncomplicated blows from Ben Cotton to secure Derbyshire a second batting point which was a poor return after they had been 178 for 2.

But it left Kent with a tricky 11 overs to negotiate and there was an absorbing duel between Bell-Drummond and Mark Footitt before the visitors closed 226 behind.