Bowler helps Somerset bat out for a draw

Peter Bowler's sound defence frustrated Kent's victory hopes on the final day at Taunton as the match with Somerset ended in a tame draw.

The 37-year-old veteran hit a typically solid 87 off 188 balls, sharing a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 135 with Mark Lathwell, which occupied 51 overs.

They came together in the first over of the day when Jamie Cox was brilliantly caught behind by the diving Paul Nixon off Matthew Fleming, having added only four to his overnight 59.

Somerset were 114-3 and still 45 runs behind. But Lathwell, still looking to re-establish his reputation since a year off with injury in 1999, showed glimpses of the form that brought two Test appearances back in 1993.

Applying himself with great determination, he matched Bowler's solid defence while occasionally giving a reminder of his stroke-playing ability in making 58 before falling lbw to Fleming.

Kent's skipper struck again in the same over, clean bowling Rob Turner for a duck, on the way to figures of 4-74.

But the pitch offered little in the way of assistance to any type of bowling and Peter Trego, promoted in the order following his 32 in the first innings, again showed his talent with the bat.

After Bowler had finally departed to Nixon's seventh catch of the match, the England Under-19 bowler went on the attack to hit eight fours in his 43.

Somerset were 334-7 when Cox declared to end the match at 5.20pm. The home side took seven points and Kent ten.