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Ward breaks the shackles

Kent (188-7) bt Hampshire (106) by 82 runs

Only one batsman on either side could not be shackled by a tired, overused pitch. That was Trevor Ward. He made only 36 but the momentum he captured while the ball was hard and came on to the bat stood Kent, who had won the toss and elected to bat, in excellent stead.

Ward hit five fours and a six to score at a run a ball, but in losing his off stump trying to drive Simon Renshaw - who he had thrashed for 17 runs in his previous over - he became the second of three batsmen dismissed at 48 in three overs.

Aware that the opposition would find scoring even more difficult on the same reconditioned pitch, Kent then grafted for their runs.

Matthew Walker, who survived two difficult chances - the first to slip and the second to the wicketkeeper, who was standing up to Dimitri Mascarenhas - made 27 off 67 balls and, with the help of Mark Ealham and Nigel Llong, steered Kent to 126 before he dragged the ball on to his stumps in driving Simon Francis.

Fewer than 12 overs remained then and the only one from which Kent made significant gains was the 39th, in which Steve Marsh twice reverse-swept Shaun Udal. But Matthew Fleming kept his cool and scored 34 off 52 balls.

Fleming pulled a hamstring while batting and stayed off the field, reducing Kent's bowling strength. The four remaining frontline bowlers, however, were not stretched in holding Hampshire at bay. It was a great help that the sure aim of their fielders earned them three run-out victims.

Julian Thompson bowled superbly at the start of the innings to take the wickets of Jason Laney and Robin Smith and to contain. It was not until the 22nd over that the first boundary of the innings came, a six by Mascarhenas, who scored 31. Min Patel and Dean Headley, who took three wickets in his first two overs, ruled out a late Hampshire challenge.