Cricket: Dangerous Headley in danger

Hampshire 210-5 v Kent

There were more stoppages for rain than than there were wickets at the United Services ground yesterday, but Kent still managed to edge to joint top of the Championship table. Even so, salvaging something useful out of the rain-troubled match is likely to prove tricky, particularly with their strike bowler Dean Headley having been warned twice for running on to the pitch. Next time he transgresses he will be out of the attack for the remainder of the first innings and, since he took all three wickets to fall yesterday, that could be a severe dent to the Kent quest.

A maximum 24 points looked ever more unlikely with each downpour. The groundstaff - or more correctly the drowned staff - worked minor miracles each time, mopping up gamely with Navy-issue blankets, but a quick draining ground such as this one can only take so much and yesterday that was what it got.

The last shower was short, but heavy enough to end play prematurely with more than an hour and 20 minutes remaining and a day which started with a bang - 17 of them as the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was greeted with a multiple-gun salute, a fly-past by Royal Navy Harrier jets and the band of the Royal Marines as she arrived in port - ended in a whimper.

At least John Stephenson had something to celebrate. His welcome return to form continued as he passed fifty for the second time in successive innings on this ground this season.

Following his century against Yorkshire 10 days ago the Hampshire captain cut and drove his way to an unbeaten 54. Four of his nine boundaries came in two Paul Strang overs when the Zimbabwean leg-spinner was given some harsh treatment between rain halts in the morning.

By then Headley had removed Giles White and Matthew Keech in the space of seven deliveries. White was within sight of a half-century when a good length ball left him and he was comfortably taken by the wickeketkeeper, Steve Marsh.

Keech had not had time to make a mark but his dismissal provided the most memorable moment of the day. Again he got a beauty from Headley, the ball flew low and fast well to Trevor Ward's left at second slip, but the fielder dived and stuck out a hand and took a brilliant catch.

When Robin Smith lunged at the fifth ball after lunch and fell lbw to Headley, Kent secured their second bowling bonus point, which brought them level with Glamorgan and gave them their high spot of an otherwise low-key day.