CANTERBURY (second day of four): Kent, with four firstinnings wickets in hand, are 238 runs ahead of Middlesex
ED SMITH, playing in what could be his last match for Kent, made his highest score of the season, 189, against the county who hope to be his next employers. Middlesex are making an official approach for him and are awaiting the return from holiday of Graham Johnson, the chairman of the Kent Cricket Committee.
Smith, who will be out of contract next week, looked wistful as he left the field, having struck 23 fours in a chanceless innings. This was his fourth century of the season. His partnership with Robert Key, who finished with 131, was one of 255 in 49 overs. In addition, Matthew Walker struck an unbeaten 86.
If 26 overs had not been lost to rain, Kent’s lead would be even more significant. Victory will ensure they finish runners-up in the first division. Smith, resuming on 74, reached his century through much the same rate of scoring as Key — 128 balls to 126 — and continued to bat thereafter as if slicing the top off an egg.
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There was less life in the pitch than on the first day, as Nantie Hayward discovered. Walker riled him by taking 14 off three successive balls. Simon Cook, who, strange as it may seem, is being linked with a move to Kent, took two wickets late in the day.
Swapping Smith for Cook would further upset the Kent membership, which has raised the 100 signatures necessary to bring about an extraordinary general meeting sometime later in the year. The fact that Kent will probably finish runners-up is unlikely to be sufficiently placatory.