Tom Latham battles to half-century as Kent v Derbyshire heads for draw

New Zealand Test opener Tom Latham re-kindled his early-season form with a battling half-century as Kent continued to thwart Derbyshire'˜s attack on the final day of their Specsavers County Championship match in Canterbury.
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The Kiwi left-hander posted a 115-ball 50 with five fours – his first half-century in almost seven weeks – to help Kent reach lunch on 134 for one and cut Derbyshire’s overall lead to 61.

The visitors, who needed to dismiss Kent cheaply in order to secure their first Specsavers County Championship win of the summer, are hampered by the loss of rookie pace bowler Will Davis with a sidestrain injury. The 21-year-old pulled up after trying to stop the ball in his follow through and could now be sidelined for several weeks.

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Derbyshire started well enough however, as Ben Cotton removed Sean Dickson for 22 barely 20 minutes into the final day. Dickson received a belting leg-cutter that lifted and left him as he played in defence. The ball feathered the edge and flew to wicketkeeper Tom Poynton to make it 39 for one.

Second-wicket partners Latham (69*) and Joe Denly (39*) combined thereafter to add an unbroken 95 through to lunch in a match that, in all likelihood, will end in a draw later this afternoon.