Cricket: Burns ties down Kent

Somerset 375 & 234 Kent 449 & 160-6 Match drawn

Simon Ecclestone, captaining Somerset in the absence of Peter Bowler and Richard Harden, came within six runs of a deserved second century in this match yesterday afternoon. But his cavalier effort, plus a stubborn rearguard action by Steve Herzberg, lengthened Somerset's innings enough to squeeze Kent's evening chase.

In the most exciting of drawn finishes, Kent took 16 points in a "winning draw" to maintain their Championship challenge, while Somerset settled with relief, after a flurry of late runs, for 11.

Although Ecclestone is 26, he is still comparatively new to county cricket, after a few years at university and minor county levels, but he already has the distinction of centuries in all competitions. Born in rural Essex, he now has a broad-batted west country bluster to his long-handled hitting, and the ball speeds from the bat with finger-stinging force.

He must surely be a candidate for future permanent captaincy, and while he batted yesterday the incumbent Bowler was chewing the cud on the boundary with coach Dermot Reeve, pondering, perhaps, why Somerset continue to under-achieve.

Kent have a happier problem. Carl Hooper is available to return next year, but the Zimbabwean leg-spinner Paul Strang has taken to county cricket with enthusiasm and great success. He wheeled on through the afternoon, and when a delayed tea was taken on Somerset's demise, he had taken 6 for 73. A longer duel with Mushtaq Ahmed would have been enjoyable, but Strang won it quickly.

In the earlier stages of the game, Ecclestone's first Championship century was matched by a career-best 144 by Rob Turner, now opening batsman as well as wicket-keeper. The tall Kent seamer Ben Phillips bagged five wickets first time round.

Kent took a 74-run advantage thanks to their own centurions, Graham Cowdrey and Mark Ealham, but were largely without the services of Martin McCague. The burly Australian was first banished to the outfield for intimidatory bowling, and then reported unfit after a net yesterday morning.

Kent emerged after tea needing 161 from a minimum 26 overs, which Somerset ensured was also the maximum.The home side did not risk using their profligate Dutchman Andre van Troost, but Kevin Shine was equally generous, conceding 10 from the opening over before being replaced by Mushtaq.

Trevor Ward and Ed Smith began briskly, but, as wickets fell, Somerset raised the asking rate. Kent, thanks to Alan Wells and Cowdrey, took charge of the equation once more when the two experienced campaigners bludgeoned 24 from a Mushtaq over. But occasional bowler Mike Burns kept a cool head at the end, and a scrambling, shouting tie was the result.