Tawanda Muyeye led Kent’s resistance after they were forced to follow-on against Hampshire in the Vitality County Championship at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Muyeye ended a curtailed day three unbeaten on 46 as Kent reached 70-0, still 126 runs behind. Opener Ben Compton was unbeaten on 24 at the other end.
Earlier, Kyle Abbott took 5-46 as Kent were 207 all out in their first innings, Compton top-scoring with a stubborn 51.
Kent began the day on 64-5 in reply to Hampshire’s 403. Compton and Harry Finch survived for the first 90 minutes of an extended morning session.
Toby Albert dropped Compton twice, on 24 and 32, the first when he couldn’t hang on to a difficult slip catch off Abbott, the second a more routine head-high chance offered by James Fuller.
Albert finally removed Compton at the third attempt when Abbott found his edge with the first delivery after he’d switched to the Nackington Road End.
In his next over Abbott had Finch caught behind for 44, before Liam Dawson bowled Charlie Stobo for 10.
Matt Parkinson was out soon after lunch, caught behind off Brad Wheal for four, but the last wicket pair of George Garrett and Jas Singh proved a nuisance, particularly after James Vince dropped the former when he was on 17, again in the slips.
Singh passed his previous best first class score of 14, before he was removed by the new ball, lbw to Abbas for 18, leaving his partner stranded on 27.
With 45 overs remaining in the day Hampshire immediately enforced the follow on but they were unable to find a breakthrough as Kent’s openers gave them hope of avoiding defeat going into the final day of the Division 1 clash.
Garrett said: “I think it’s just a case of showing a bit of fight, obviously the wicket’s probably got a bit better for batting compared to day one so I think, especially the guys at the bottom, we tried to put a lot of value on our wickets and make it difficult for Hampshire. We showed a bit of fight today.
“Obviously Ben and Finchy batted nicely this morning and it’s a shame someone couldn’t go and get a big one, that’s something that’s been lacking a bit in the first innings of games all season but hopefully they can put it right tomorrow.”
