Jones, Coles put Kent on top

Leicestershire's decision to bowl first backfired as Kent racked up 406 on the first day at Grace Road with half-centuries from Brendan Nash, Geraint Jones and Matt Coles.

More than half the Kent total came in boundaries as a young Leicestershire attack struggled to keep control in the windy conditions. Jones and Coles shared a seventh-wicket stand of 104 in 19 overs, with Coles letting loose in a 63-ball stay. In all Kent scored 216 runs in boundaries, hitting 51 fours and two sixes.

It was the second successive game in which Leicestershire have conceded more than 400 runs after putting the opposition into bat, having suffered the same fate last week against Hampshire. Leicestershire's cause was not helped when Matthew Hoggard, their most experienced bowler, trudged off the field after a five-over spell before lunch and did not reappear for the rest of the day.

Nathan Buck, Alex Wyatt and Anthony Ireland had already been ruled out because of injury, leaving the home side's seam attack seriously weakened. Kent cashed in, scoring at well over four runs an over throughout the day as the boundaries flowed following the early run out of Sam Northeast. Rob Key, also fell before lunch for 41, top edging a bouncer from Robbie Williams to Shiv Thakor at fine leg.

With Nash, Mike Powell, Darren Stevens and James Tredwell back in the pavilion by mid-afternoon, leaving Kent 207 for 6, Leicestershire looked to have a chance of keeping the total to a respectable level. But the partnership between Jones and Coles put Kent well on top and by tea they had reached a healthy 283 without further loss.

Jones reached his 50 off 70 balls with five fours and Coles hit a six and eight fours in a 51-ball half-century. He was stumped attempting one big hit too many off Jigar Naik. Jones was then trapped lbw for 67 by the same bowler but still Leicestershire were unable to bring the innings to a close.

Callum Haggett hit 40 and Mark Davies 41 as the last two wickets added 89 runs to give Kent maximum batting points, before Haggett was caught at midwicket off Naik, who finished with 4 for 97 off 21.5 overs.