Curran brothers dominate opening day

Sam Curran celebrated becoming the second youngest player to make his first-class debut for Surrey by taking a wicket with his fourth ball on the opening day of the Division Two clash against Kent at the Kia Oval.

At stumps, Kent had reached 132 for 4 off the 30 overs made possible by the weather and the floodlights, thanks largely to Daniel Bell-Drummond (39) and Sam Northeast (45) staging a recovery by adding 60 for the visitors' third wicket at quicker than a run a ball.

Damp conditions put paid to any play before 3pm, but the younger of Surrey's two Curran brothers soon made up for lost time by parting Joe Denly's middle and off stumps with an inswinging delivery in the second over.

Both Currans shared new ball duties and older brother Tom justified Surrey's decision to bowl first by having Adam Ball, driving uppishly, caught at backward point five overs later.

At 17 years and 40 days old, Sam Curran's first-class debut came 69 years to the day after Tony Lock, the youngest player to play for Surrey at 17 years and eight days, made his first appearance - also against Kent - at the Oval on July 13, 1946.

He also came close to adding to his tally when Bell-Drummond, on six, was dropped at square leg. Bell-Drummond then joined forces with Northeast and brought up the fifty partnership in the 16th over, with the first of two fours in the space of three balls from James Burke.

But the introduction of Zafar Ansari's left-arm spin just before tea conjured up the wicket of Bell-Drummond, who was lbw for 39.

Northeast, who opened his account with a four straight down the ground and batted positively for his 45 in 47 deliveries, was caught behind off Tom Curran shortly after a brief delay for bad light.

Darren Stevens got off the mark with a six over long-on off Ansari but was unable to add to his score before bad light brought a premature end to proceedings at 5.58pm, with Ben Harmison the other not out batsman on 11.