Leicestershire dominate with bat and ball

Leicestershire took total command of their CricInfo Championship clash in Canterbury courtesy of Kent old-boy Vince Wells.

Born just nine miles away in Whitstable and weaned on Kent League cricket, Wells was released by his home county ten years ago and made them pay for that decision yesterday by scoring 138 in his side's mammoth total of 612 for eight declared.

Kent's bad day turned worse soon after tea when, after reaching 55 without loss, they lost seven wickets for 100 runs inside 29 overs.

Rob Key, Ed Smith and Matthew Walker, all enjoying purple patches and with 500-plus runs to their names, were all guilty of getting out when well set against Leicestershire's veteran new ball attack of Phil DeFreitas and Devon Malcolm.

By the close Kent had limped to 155 for seven, still 457 in arrears and 308 short of avoiding the follow-on at 463.

It was all a far cry from the first four sessions of the match when Leicestershire's under-achieving batsmen made hay on a good pitch.

Making the most of short boundaries and a bland home attack, five Foxes' batsmen passed 50 while Ben Smith and Wells reached deserved hundreds as they posted their highest total against Kent and the highest of the Championship season to date.

Indeed Wells was on course for the fastest century of the summer in reaching 99 in 95 balls, but needed another nine deliveries to reach his landmark that included 17 fours and a six.

Enjoying his return to his former home ground, Wells played powerful drives and pulls, but revealed deft touches with occasional late glances and three successive fours against off-spinner James Hockley, all from reverse sweeps.

It was Leicestershire's day and Kent will need a minor miracle now to prevent them from securing their second Championship win on the trot.