Stevens shines for Kent as an unlikely all-round hero

The England and Wales Cricket Board pitch inspectors might be interested in a trip to Maidstone today, but they had better arrive early if they want to see any play between Kent and Gloucestershire.

The England and Wales Cricket Board pitch inspectors might be interested in a trip to Maidstone today, but they had better arrive early if they want to see any play between Kent and Gloucestershire.

The occasional bowler Darren Stevens cut a swathe through the Gloucestershire batting line-up yesterday, taking 3-3 at one stage to reduce the visitors to 56 for 7 in their second innings after they were bowled out for 183 in their first attempt. Kent responded with 204 in their first innings. The top score so far has been 39, although Stevens continued his good all-round match with 35.

Elsewhere in the First Division, Glamorgan's hapless start to the season continued as Sussex piled on the runs at Swansea. The visitors were 225 for 2, with Richard Montgomerie unbeaten on 86 and Murray Goodwin 63 not out.

In the Second Division, at Chelmsford, Essex are struggling against Derbyshire, who made 462 in their first innings thanks to Graeme Welch's 112. Essex were then reduced to 114 for 4.