Ben Compton showcased his batting prowess on day two of the County Championship match at Canterbury, leading Kent’s charge against Leicestershire. It was the opener’s 18th first-class ton and he was 101 not out at the close, with Kent 203-3, a decent position.
The comic performance was crucial to Kent’s resistance, particularly given Compton’s rough first act. He even started the day painfully, surviving five testing overs to get to lunch 18 without runs on the board. He soon hit his stride. He completed his half-century with two runs off Rehan Ahmed, and Kent were well-placed at 117-1 by tea.
His century, too, came in the midst of an enthralling duel with Ahmed, and especially as Compton neared three figures, the tension mounted wonderfully. He topped 1,000 runs for the summer when he scored his 23rd run, highlighting just how in form he has been this season. The occasion would become fraught as Compton. After a quick stop for a leg bye, pandemonium broke out in the stands. He and his partner run out for two runs but the umpires called it not a boundary.
During the course of the innings, Compton played with wonderful determination and craft. His partnership with Muyeye would prove essential. Muyeye was done by 46, glancing a sharply turning delivery from Ahmed to Peter Handscomb at slip. Compton wouldn’t allow the disappointment to shake his resolve. He brought up his century just before the players were forced from the field due to bad light, capping off the day in style.
Despite the chaotic environment around them, Kent’s innings has been wholly characterized by Compton’s committed play and focus on the high-leverage moments. His performance is the apex of his genius, extraordinary simply to experience. It plays an obvious, important role in Kent’s larger plan going into this assignment against the new table-toppers.
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