Marathon man sets Pears a big target

The 31-year-old batsman resumed on his overnight 69 and batted for a total of nearly eight hours in scoring a career best 227 out of 474 all out to leave Worcestershire a 399 target.

His marathon knock surpassed his 206 not out against Northampton at Wantage Road last season.

It rescued Kent from the real possibility of losing inside three days, after they had lost their sixth wicket shortly before lunch when their overall lead was only 129.

Now they will have high hopes of pushing for victory tomorrow with Pakistan wrist spinner Yasir Shah the ace up their sleeve on what is still a good wicket for batting.

On the longest day of the year, Denly’s superb knock must also have felt never-ending for the wilting Worcestershire attack which stuck gamely to its task but was gradually worn down in the soaring temperatures.

It was his second century in three Championship matches and has given Kent a strong platform to test the resolution of the home side in the top three promotion battle.

He was given excellent support by keeper Adam Rouse (68) in a stand of 149 in 39 overs – a Kent seventh-wicket record in matches against Worcestershire. Denly had batted for a total of 468 minutes, had faced 320 balls and struck 24 fours and five sixes when he finally holed out to Ed Barnard at long off against Joe Leach.

Denly’s double ton came up off 299 balls with 23 fours and three sixes and a two off Josh Tongue brought him his new career best.

Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell and Brett D’Oliveira negotiated five overs in reaching 16-0 by the close.