Lancashire Vs. Kent LVCC Day Three

Katich shines for Lancashire on third day of Kent match. 

The third day had the potential to unfold in a number of ways, thanks to the late wickets Kent claimed yesterday, but due to the loss of 55 overs, this match was unlikely to produce a result.

James Anderson continued his fine work as night watchman, facing 75 balls in his innings of 26, but the morning session proved to be slow work for both batsmen under the bowler friendly conditions. Anderson was eventually removed by Charlie Shreck, trapped LBW with Lancashire now on 98-3.

Karl Brown had started the day confidently despite the tough conditions and, now joined by Ashwell Prince, the pressure started to ease as Lancashire approached lunch.

Entering the break on 48*, Brown was keen to complete his half century, but may have been fortunate to do so, having been dropped in the process by Mark Davies. This became a motif in the afternoon and indeed the evening session, with both Brown and Prince being dropped by Kent who may have seized control had they held these chances.

Instead it was Lancashire who had the upper hand, thanks in large to the fourth-wicket partnership, which added 93 runs to the home sides total. Both players were closing in on their respective milestones, but it was Brown who fell short of his century, as he was bowled by Shreck for 87 having offered no shot to the ball. Now 191-4, Lancashire looked forward to the partnership of Prince and Simon Katich, the same pair that thrived in a 181-run stand versus Worcestershire.

Prince soon reached his fifty, achieving 4 fours and 1 six, as he hit his second half century in two innings. But on this occasion, the stand between Katich and was not to be outstanding, as Prince fell just before tea for 58, with Darren Stevens achieving his second breakthrough of the innings. Lancashire added six more runs to go in at 224-5, but it is fair to suggest that Prince was not happy to be given out.

Light rain in the teatime interval threatened to intervene, but for once the impact of the rain was minimal, with play starting on time. Shortly after play resumed Lancashire surpassed the visitors total, as Katich, now joined by Steven Croft began to look increasingly confident.

Katich and Croft accelerated throughout the evening session, reaching a fifty partnership from just 80 balls. The Australian overseas talent joined Prince, by reaching his second fifty in a row, coming from 76 balls.

A pleasant evening session for the home side was capped by Katich reaching 20,000 first-class runs, a milestone of incredible magnitude, as Katich finished on 93 not out. In some way this was frustrating for Lancashire, as both batsmen fell agonisingly short of their respective milestones. Croft closed on an equally impressive score of 47, as the sixth-wicket partnership reached an impressive and unbeaten138.

Both batsmen hope to complete their milestones quickly tomorrow morning, but in truth the result in this match has been decided for some time now, due to the long delay in play yesterday.