At the end of a day interrupted by rain, Kent will be the happier of the two sides that 58 overs were lost to the elements. Indeed, they may well be crossing their fingers that the weather continues to follow an unpredictable course.

Despite conditions that favoured seam, the home side included a third spinner in their line-up in the shape of Rob Ferley. Consequently, when they won the toss, it came as no surprise that the hop county’s preference was to bat first. But after slumping to 136 for eight in what play was possible, it would appear that Kent’s strategy has already backfired, perhaps catastrophically.

But for David Fulton’s 57 off 78 balls, which included one six and ten fours, the hosts would have ended the day in even greater trouble. The Kent skipper opened his account by cutting and cover driving Martin Bicknell to the boundary before picking the 35-year-old all-rounder up over the mid-wicket fence. After the rain relented Fulton switched his attention to Jimmy Ormond, whom he struck for three fours in a single over.

By that time, however, Fulton had already lost his opening partner, Ed Smith, to a catch at third slip and Alex Loudon, who was attempting a back foot drive when he was smartly taken in front of second.

Michael Bevan’s miserable run continued when he lost his off stump to Bicknell on the stroke of tea. The veteran of 18 Tests and 232 one-day internationals for Australia has now made just fifteen runs in his last four visits to the crease in the championship. Kent probably do not know whether to be pleased or perplexed that Bevan is available to them until the end of the season.

Not for the first time this summer Ormond went completely unrewarded. In another season he could well have taken 50 wickets at healthy average by now. After tea the former Leicestershire man gave way to Azhar Mahmood at the Nackington Road End. The Pakistan all-rounder struck immediately, accounting for Fulton and Walker in his first two overs and O’Brien in his fifth.

Fulton, who was dropped at second slip off Ormond when 45, cut Azhar to third man before top-edging a pull to Clarke at first slip. Matthew Walker then lost his off stump, and after Tim Murtagh had Matt Dennington in two minds, Niall O’Brien was caught behind playing back to one that lifted as well as left him off the pitch.

Following another, much briefer stoppage for rain, Min Patel was trying to work the ball through mid-on when he was bowled neck and crop. But Ferley and Patel hung on for five overs to fight another day.

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