Surrey Academy product Arjun Gill starred on day two as Surrey continued their batting procession at Guildford before declaring on 656/7 and claiming four Kent wickets, who closed on 223.
Gill looked in sublime touch throughout his innings and glided from his overnight score of 87 to his century, before racing to 150 and beyond in the afternoon session, as Surrey stepped on the accelerator in a bid to declare their innings on as high a score as possible.
The right-hander was well-set to reach his double century, having struck a mighty six to jump from 190 to 196, but his wicket fell in the most unfortunate fashion as Conor McKerr’s straight drive was deflected by bowler HM Khan’s foot onto the stumps whilst Gill was backing up and couldn’t return inside the crease.
After scoring at a rate of 4.5 runs per over yesterday, the Three Feathers resumed on 432/3 and picked up pretty much from where they had left off.
Gill and Stuart van der Merwe (79) played wonderful shots all around the ground as Surrey did not lose any wickets in the morning session, heading into the lunch interval on 552/3.
In the afternoon session, the duo added another rapid 43 runs together before their mighty 188-run stand for the fourth wicket was broken by Arafat Bhuiyan, who got van der Merwe caught behind for 79, with the scoreboard reading 571/4.
Shortly after, Surrey’s fifth wicket also fell, with Ollie Sykes (2) attempting to hook Bhuiyan over square leg but getting caught on the rope.
McKerr walked out to the middle intending to play some big shots whilst Gill aimed to reach his double century. The duo could add 17 runs together before Gill was unfortunately run out.
McKerr marched on, striking five boundaries in his innings of 34 not out from 24 balls that was cut short by Josh Blake’s decision to declare, with his side on 656 for 7.
Bhuiyan (3/130) posted the best figures for Kent whilst AR Sylvester claimed 2/68 and OB Curtiss 1/74.
Matt Dunn and James Taylor provided the perfect start with the new ball, cheaply dismissing Kent’s openers in the first four overs.
Dunn strangled GR Severin down the leg side for 2 before SD Perera was caught behind on nought off Taylor in the next over.
Arriving to the crease with his team in a spot of bother at 2/5, Kent skipper MK O’Riordan played a counterattacking knock and was well supported by BJ Dawkins as the duo regularly found the boundary.
The pair took the score to 215 before Conor McKerr removed Dawkins caught behind down the leg side for 78.
Dawkins went 5 balls later as sub fielder Luke Griffiths ran O’Riordan out with a direct hit from mid on for a very well made 132.
Kent reached 223/4 at the close of play.
