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A 42-year-old James Anderson was set for a win on his captaincy debut for Lancashire but a blazing century from no.9 batter Grant Stewart stood in the way. Stewart walked in to bat when Kent were 116/7. The Red Rose could sniff victory but Stewart showed that the Bazball approach can salvage a draw as well. Italy's bowling all-rounder Stewart and Joey Evison shared a 172-run partnership to frustrate Lancashire who did very well up until Stewart arrived at the crease.
Century in just 79 balls
Chris Green was the wrecker-in-chief for Lancashire with four wickets. Pacer Tom Bailey had taken three wickets as well. But they couldn't dismiss Stewart. He did not face Anderson early in his innings and scored at a brisk pace. In the 62nd over, he hit Mitchell Stanley for three sixes in a row. He reached his fifty from 42 deliveries. The bowling all-rounder continued to target Stanley. In the 73rd over, he reached his 100 from just 79 balls. This was his third first-class century. Interestingly, his maiden century came off 73 balls in 2018.
Anderson gets Stewart's consolation wicket
In his second over with the new ball, Anderson ended Stewart's entertaining stay in the middle at Stanley Park, Blackpool. The 31-year-old batter born in Western Australia, scored 130 runs from 122 balls. His match-saving knock was studded with 12 fours and nine sixes.
Another draw for Lancashire
After Stewart's dismissal, Wes Agar took his time. Just when Anderson was taken off the attack, boundaries started flowing. Agar hit the last ball of the game for a six as he remained unbeaten for 21 off 27 balls. On the other end, Evision played a gritty knock of 77 from 176 balls. Kent were 328/8 a 63-run lead in the bag when the match ended in a draw.
3 centuries for Lancashire, no batting woes in Harris' absence
In the first innings, Stewart was dismissed by Stanley for a single-digit score. Opener Ben Compton's century helped Kent post 374 on the board. In reply, Luke Wells did not let Lancashire miss the services of their captain Marcus Harris as he scored 152. Australia's Harris flew back home for birth of his child. Josh Bohannon and Ashton Turner scored centuries as well to help Lancashire post 639/9.
Lancashire still searching for first win
Lancashire are yet to win a match this season. They have lost two games whereas six have ended in a draw. Despite the winless streak, they are sixth on the County Championship Division Two 2025 points table with 80 points, higher than Middlesex (77 points) and Kent (76 points) as they have lost two games apiece.
Stewart's T20I career for Italy
Stewart has played 14 T20Is for Italy. He made his T20I debut against Denmark in 2021. He claimed two wickets in Italy's victory over Denmark. He has claimed 10 wickets from 14 T20Is at an average of 18.50. He has an economy rate of 5.44 runs per over. The all-rounder has scored 360 runs from 13 innings at an average of 27.69 and strike rate of 162.89. He has three half-centuries for Italy.
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