Denly hits ton as sides share spoils

Kent's Joe Denly scored 116 not out as the game at Grace Road ended in a tame draw

Joe Denly scored his first LV= County Championship century of the season as Kent's game against Leicestershire drifted to an inevitable draw after the first two days were washed out by the weather at Grace Road.

The 23-year-old opener made an unbeaten 116, sharing a second-wicket stand of 181 with Geraint Jones, who continued his fine run of form with a sparkling innings of 87.

Kent closed on 265 for two after Leicestershire had declared on 403 for nine, with both sides taking nine points from the game.

The home side, who resumed at 351 for six at the start of the final day, added 52 runs in 14.3 overs, with Tom New finishing unbeaten on 85 off 154 balls, his innings including 13 boundaries.

It was Leicestershire's biggest total of the season and the first time they have taken maximum batting points.

And the 24-year-old knew there was the added bonus of being told he would be taking over as wicket-keeper in Championship games from the end of this month.

Veteran Paul Nixon has decided to step down from that role, but the 38-year-old will continue to captain the side and play as a batsman.

New, who has only kept wicket on rare occasions over the last three years, had 13 boundaries in his best score of the season, while Kent seamer Simon Cook picked up the wickets of Wayne White and Claude Henderson to finish with 5-78.

All that was on offer for both sides, however, was to secure as many bonus points as they could in the time left available.

Denly and Sam Northeast gave Kent a solid start with a partnership of 57. But Northeast, having made 26, was surprised by a sharply lifting delivery from left-arm seamer, Harry Gurney, and gloved a catch to Nixon.

Leicestershire then had to wait another 39 overs for their next success as Denly and Jones took control.

Jones, with two Championship centuries already this season, was in fluent touch, reaching his 50 off 75 balls, with seven fours and a huge six off Henderson.

Denly also took a liking to the left-arm spinner, hitting three sixes off him.

As the light began to close in, the opener accelerated, reaching his century off 178 balls before Jones was run out by an accurate throw from HD Ackerman for 87.

But, at 265 for two, the sides left the field because of bad light and were unable to resume, the umpires calling an end to proceedings 15 minutes before the scheduled close.