LANCASHIRE’S hopes of winning their opening three Championship games for the first time in 15 years remain very much intact despite the efforts of Darren Stevens whose unbeaten century frustrated Glen Chapple’s bowlers on the second day of their First Division match against Kent at Old Trafford.

Replying to the home side’s first-innings total of 320, Kent had struggled to 97 for seven before Stevens’ 92-run eighth-wicket partnership with Matt Coles changed the contest. Stevens had made 101 not out by the time Kent were bowled out for 213.

Lancashire added 68 to their first-innings lead of 107 before bad light and rain ended play 15 overs early, but they had lost Tom Smith – for his sixth successive single figure Championship score – Paul Horton and Stephen Moore in the process.

That leaves Glen Chapple’s side with a lead of 175 with seven wickets in hand and two days of this fluctuating contest still to play.

However, while Lancashire’s Sajid Mahmood will look back on the day with pleasure – he claimed five for 55 – it was Stevens’ innings that altered the balance of the game. The all-rounder, who had taken four wickets in Lancashire’s first innings, clubbed two mighty sixes and 10 fours in his 129-ball stay at the wicket.

Chapple had earlier claimed his 700th first-class wicket for Lancashire, when the former West Craven High School pupil moved one away from Key.

The Earby bowler bagged two more wickets to put Kent in trouble before Stevens’ century.