McSweeney says Northants will have to be ‘right on the money’ to stop Kent charge

Play didn't get underway until 4.15pm on a Thursday's rain-hit opening day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash, and Northants will have been hoping to make inroads after winning the toss and bowling.

But it was the visitors who took control, with former England man Zak Crawley hitting a season's best 82 not out and fellow opener Ben Compton an unbeaten 51 as Kent closed on 154 for none from just 36 overs.

Kent started the match second in the table, four points ahead of third-placed Northants, and McSweeney knows he and his team-mates have got work to do to get themselves into the match.

“It was a frustrating session," admitted the Australian, who was awarded his County cap before play by former Northants batter Roy Virgin.

"I think there were pretty good bowling conditions there for the first little bit, anyway.

"A couple of decisions probably didn't go our way. We put down a chance, and then they played really well, and we probably didn't quite nail our areas.

“I think we started decent, and then obviously once the partnership progressed, they found scoring quite easy there for a good part of it.

"So yeah, we need to learn from that and come back on Friday right on the money."

Heavy rain in the morning meant the players had to wait around before getting going in what is a huge game for both sides, and McSweeney said: “It was a bit of a slow morning with the rain.

"We didn't quite know when we were getting on. I thought we started pretty well and it was just that middle period where the runs started to flow.

"We weren't quite quick enough to adapt and change our plans.”

Kent opener Compton was delighted with how the day went for the visitors.

“We’re pleased with where we are at stumps," said the left-hander.

"These kinds of days can be tricky. It's sometimes difficult to prepare yourself adequately if you've been sitting around all day.

“So, we’re absolutely thrilled with that start. It was so nice to see Zak playing so fluently. He really does look back to his best, which we're all so happy for him in that respect.

"I'm sure they'll come hard in the morning, and our job is to keep going and that's our aim."

And he added: "The wicket certainly was pretty lively for the first 10 or 12 overs, under the lights an it was quite dark.

"There was a short day ahead, so the opposition can come steaming in and give it a full pelt.

"It did plenty in that first 45 minutes, so we had a bit of luck and I got dropped. Those things all level out in cricket, sometimes, so we're very pleased that we could get through that spell.

“But it's a good pitch. We saw a bit of spin there for the two Northants leg-spinners, so hopefully that will suit us later as the game goes on.

"But it's a pretty decent wicket and we're going to have to work hard in the morning and then go from there."

Quotes courtesy of Jeremy Blackmore