Keeping up with Jones

Geraint Jones scored his first century of the summer on day three at Whitgift © Getty Images

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Geraint Jones scored his first century of the season to steer Kent to almost certain victory against Surrey in their LV County Championship clash at Whitgift School in Croydon.

The former England wicket-keeper finished unbeaten on 106 from 100 balls in a total of 564 for five declared, giving Kent a first-innings lead of 398.

Then, the visitors snapped up three Surrey wickets to leave the hosts trailing by 251 runs going into the final day.

Jones was well supported by team-mate Darren Stevens who scored a magnificent 174 before he fell in the 123rd over to Ian Salisbury after the pair had smashed 153 runs in just 23.2 overs after lunch.

Earlier in the day, having resumed on 269 for three overnight, Kent’s Martin van Jaarsveld continued where he had left off from the previous day with some delightful shots either side of the wicket.

The prolific run scorer soon went to his 150 with successive boundaries off the lacklustre Neil Saker.

Surrey's immediate response was to take the new ball and after van Jaarsveld had scored a further 16 runs he fell to Mohammed Akram. The South African drove loosely at a full-pitched delivery to give Saker a simple catch at mid-off.

Darren Stevens completed a brilliant century © Getty Images

Akram nearly accounted for Stevens on 89 as Alistair Brown spilled a difficult chance at second slip. Stevens then went from 93 to his 100 with two mighty blows off the unfortunate Saker.

His century came from just 125 balls with 15 fours and three sixes.
Soon after lunch both Jones and Stevens quickly brought up their century stand as the Surrey attack struggled with their line and length.

Jones went to his 50 with another boundary before a Stevens drive fell just short of ground at mid-wicket. The pair continued to dominate the bowling and soon pushed the score past the 500 mark.

They were particularly severe on Nayan Doshi who conceded 123 runs from his 20 overs bowled.

Surrey’s second innings got off to a steady start with Scott Newman and Jonathan Batty sharing a stand of 48.

However, in the second over after tea they suffered a blow as Newman, on 20, stupidly tried to take a second run to Yasir Arafat at deep square leg and was run out by a brilliant throw from the Kent all-rounder.

Surrey advanced to 69 before the loss of their second wicket. This time Batty on 25 tried to drive an Arafat out-swinger, which flew off the edge to Andrew Hall at second slip.

Arafat then snapped up his second wicket of the day having Mark Butcher (four) caught in the slips.