Kent amass 595, but SLC Development XI respond well
After being battered by the county side Kent, who raced to amass 595 runs for the loss of 8 wickets before declaring, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Development XI responded quite effectively to deliver the hosts the similar rage in their four-day game, being played at Canterbury. At the time stumps were drawn on the second day, SLC Development XI were in a commanding position at 201 after losing just opener and skipper Nipun Dananjaya, facing just 41 overs.
After the dismissal of Dananjaya (8) at 14, Nishan Madushka joined opener Lasith Croospulle to put on an unbroken stand of 187 runs for the second wicket. Croospulle was on target and cautious, but Madushka accelerated surpassing the settled opener to reach his century.
Madushka was 104 not out when play ended for the second day, after facing 120 deliveries and hitting 18 fours and a six. Croospulle on the other hand, faced 109 deliveries for his unbeaten 86, which also had 10 fours and two sixes.
Earlier Kent declared at 595-8, after entirely dominating the first day, where they raked up 418-6 in 90 overs. They batted further 47 overs and added 177 more runs, losing just two wickets in the process. Kent batters were in full swing, particularly Darren Stevens, Billy Mead and George Linda hitting centuries. Kent, though lost four wickets for 95 runs, recovered impressively with Stevens, the 46-year-old allrounder thumped 168 off just 142 balls, including 24 fours and fives sixes. Linde made 107 off 141 balls. The pair added 264-stand for the fifth wicket to lead their side’s recovery
Earlier yesterday, Billy Mead, who was unbeaten on 15 on the first day, went on to score his century, an unbeaten 106, off 188 deliveries, inclusive of eight boundaries and a six.
Teenage seamer Yasiru Rodrigo, and right-arm fast bowlers Dananjaya Lakshan and Udith Madushan claimed a couple of scalps each, while fast bowler Nipun Malinga and leg-spinner Ashen Bandara claimed a wicket each.
SLC Development XI still trails by 394 runs with nine wickets in hand. Today is the third day of the four-day game.
- Kent 595 for 8 decl (137) (Darren Stevens 168, Billy Mead 108n.o., George Linde 107, Henry Podmore 56, Joe Denly 35, Hamidullah Qadri 34, Marcus O’Rirdan 31, Jack Leaning 22, Yasiru Rodrigo 2/90, Dananjaya Lakshan 2/106, Udith Madushan 2/109)
- SLC Development XI 201 for 1 (41) at stumps (Nishan MAdushka 104n.o., Lasith Croospulle 86n.o.)