County Championship Division Two, Surrey v Kent – Day 3 Recap –Robert the key to Kent’s Success
In an enthralling third day, Kent ended on 279 for 8, requiring another 52 runs against Surrey in a match played at the Kennington, Oval, London, July 12, 2011.
Kent hopes for an unlikely victory rested on the shoulder of their captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robert-Key-c2349, who remained unbeaten on 144.
Only two other players could manage more than 20 runs from the Kent side, while Tim Linley with the pick of Surrey bowlers with four wickets.
The day started with Surrey resuming from their overnight score of 138 for 7 with Zafar Ansari and Stuart Meaker, on 16 and 1 respectively. However, both added little to their overnight score as they fell in quick succession.
However, a cameo from the last wicket pairing of Chris Tremlett and Tim Linley helped their side pass the 150 mark as Surrey posted 184 in their second innings.
Linley made 18 with the help of 2 boundaries whereas Tremlett, remained unbeaten on 16, which included three scoring shots (2 fours, 1 six).
This meant that Kent had to chase 322 to win the match.
Kent started their innings in a terrible manner, when opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JL-Denly-c1703 went in the second over of their second innings to Linley. Denly could only make 1 when he was cleaned up by the Surrey bowler.
Sam Northeast (18) was the next to go, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gareth-Batty-c1456 trapped him in front of the wicket.
This brought http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Martin-van-Jaarsveld-c74944 on the crease. He along with Kent skipper, Robert Key, rescued the innings with a hundred run partnership. Both batters played sensibly with Key bringing up a well made half century.
With the match seemingly slipping away, Linley provided Surrey with a much needed break through as he dismissed the South African, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SM-Davies-c2542, after making 35.
Another followed quickly as Ansari trapped Darren http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stevens-c91368 for 3. Geraint Jones then partnered Key, as they put on a 67 for the 5 wicket.
Meanwhile, Key brought up a superb century, stoking the bowlers to all parts of the field. However, there was still work to be done as Kent continued to lose wickets, which kept the proceedings well poised.
For http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kent-c802 in all sorts of trouble.
Linley than returned for his final spell of the day removing Pakistani pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/David-Balcombe-c1327(6), to take his tally to 4 wickets in the innings.
At the end of the day, Key remained unbeaten on 144, accompanied by Robbie Joseph, who was yet to open his account.
This meant that Kent finished day 3 on 278 for 8, still another 52 runs short of the Surrey’s target.
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