Northeast hits unbeaten century in encouraging Hampshire workout
Wednesday 8th April 2015
Kent vice-captain Sam Northeast continued his fine winter form into the English summer with 104 not out against Hampshire in a friendly at Southampton.
The Ageas Bowl surface produced a well-balanced two-day contest between bat and ball as Kent passed Hampshire's 301 before the sides shook hands after Northeast reached three figures with Kent on 376 for nine.
The 25-year-old from Ashford carried his bat after a strong start with openers Daniel Bell-Drummond (88) and Joe Denly (72) shared an opening stand of 152 after resuming on 73 without loss.
Denly departed after edging Ervine behind who was well caught by young keeper Lewis McManus before DBD fell LBW to Danny Briggs.
Wheal found the edge of Brendan Nash just before lunch and Key (23) departed after the interval caught behind off Andre Adams.
Darren Stevens (3) and Sam Billings (4) fell to Gareth Berg and Chris Wood to leave Kent on 240 for six before Northeast and the returning Matt Coles (48) steadied the ship as Kent closed in on the Hampshire total.
Briggs removed Coles after tea and Mitch Claydon and Adam Riley put up brief resistance before the two sides shook hands to bring proceedings to a close.
Kent now look forward to a three-day fixture against Loughborough MCCU, starting on Sunday (12 April) at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.
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