Kent close in after ending Shaun Marsh resistance

Glamorgan 94 and 273 for 9 (Marsh 76, Murphy 54) lead Kent 174 (van der Gugten 7-42) by 193 runs
Scorecard

Kent chipped away at Glamorgan's second innings at Sophia Gardens to close in on their second Championship win of the season, despite half-centuries from Shaun Marsh and Jack Murphy. After 19 wickets fell on the opening day, conditions for batting improved, with Glamorgan nine down and leading by 193 at the close.

Having gained a useful lead of 80 on first innings, the visitors struck early. Darren Stevens, after his six-wicket haul in the first innings, made inroads when he trapped Nick Selman leg before with the eighth ball of the innings, but Murphy and Marsh then settled into a productive partnership for the second wicket.

Marsh unfurled a series of booming cover drives, as the pair scored at over four runs an over and the Australian was in sight of his second Championship century of the season, before he was run out following a mix up with his partner. Murphy played the ball to square leg and set off for an improbable run, but when Marsh responded he was dismissed by a direct hit from Will Gidman. Marsh's innings came from 113 balls, which included a six and ten fours.

Murphy, who had carried his bat in the first innings, again played responsibly, and reached a deserved half-century, before slicing a ball to gully. Aneurin Donald did not last long, playing across a delivery from Harry Podmore, who bowled a steady spell and restricted Glamorgan's progress.

Glamorgan needed another sizeable partnership, but they were denied by some accurate bowling. Kiran Carlson and Chris Cooke put on 32, before the latter was caught low down by Adam Rouse off Stevens. Carlson was then dismissed by Gidman, the fifth seamer used by Kent, as Glamorgan led by 150.

The new ball became due with six overs remaining, and Joe Denly immediate summoned his opening bowlers, Stevens and Matt Henry, who had shared the ten wickets in Glamorgan's first innings. Henry responded by dismissing Andrew Salter, who became Rouse's third victim and in his final over had David Lloyd taken at third slip for 46.

With the first ball of the final over of the day, Podmore, who had replaced Stevens after the allrounder injured his shoulder after bowling four balls of his 18th over, dismissed Marchant de Lange leg before.

At the start of play, Podmore's unbeaten 33 had helped Kent's last wicket pair added a further 11 runs. Timm Van der Gugten captured the final wicket, to end with career best figures of 7 for 42.