NOT even Alistair Brown could quite make up for lost time after play finally began at 5.30 in the wake of a midday deluge of great intensity. In the 19 overs possible, Surrey managed to extend their lead by another 74 runs for the loss of Jonathan Batty against an energetic Kent side whose priority will be to avoid defeat today.

Brown took an early liking to the pace attack and David Fulton, the Kent captain, soon called for the spin of Min Patel and Alex Loudon. Patel struck quickly, deceiving Batty in the flight as he came down the pitch to end a sixth-wicket partnership of 53, but then suffered in the final over when Azhar Mahmood ended a frustrating day by driving successive fours.