Head coach Matt Walker says cheap first-innings wickets giving Kent too much to do and side need to be pushing for 400 runs to stay in contention

Kent head coach Matt Walker insists first-innings runs must be their main priority.

After being bowled out for 244 against reigning champions Surrey, Kent were always on the backfoot as they lost by an innings and 37 runs at Canterbury this week.

The tone was set when Kent again failed to put runs on the board. They were also bowled out for 284 in their season opener against Somerset.

“We have to strive in our first innings to be nearer 400. Otherwise, like we’ve done in every game we’ve played this season and plenty last season, we’re always in this situation at the back end of a game having to claw our way back in,” said Walker.

“It’s draining, frustrating and you can’t win the game. It’s of huge importance, our first-innings runs have to be better. No batting points is also a big miss.

“If you post 400 on there it takes more time out of the game as they’ve got to go past us by more, there’s a bit more pressure and it’s easier for Matt Parkinson to bowl as he’s got more runs to play with.

“It’s not going to get us into games at all. It’s something that is number one on the list for us to be better at.

“We found a couple of strange ways to get out, but 244 on a pretty good wicket against anybody is not going to put you in a position of control.”

Skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond already has two centuries to his name while Joe Denly, Joey Evison and Ben Compton have also impressed with the bat.

Jack Leaning hit 30 and 24 against Surrey but averaged 16 in the first three matches, Tawanda Muyeye averaged 12 in the first two games and England opener Zak Crawley was dismissed for two single-figure scores against Surrey.

“They’re all fine batters, they’ve all done it, Zak has done it at the highest level,” stated Walker.

“Daniel