Kent (301 and 344 all out) lead Surrey (145 all out and 263-3) by 237 runs in County Championship Division 1 at Canterbury

Kent’s County Championship Division 1 clash against Surrey dramatically swung back into the balance as they made a fine start to their record-breaking second-innings chase on Tuesday.

Hamid Qadri’s half-century helped the home side build up a 500-run lead. But, led by a fine ton by Jamie Smith, the visitors ended day three at Canterbury already more than halfway towards their total.

Frank Worrall’s first over of the day (3-63) saw an unusual incident occur. Kent all-rounder Joey Evison looked to have nicked behind and, although it appeared the umpire’s finger was briefly raised, it swiftly was brought down again amid a lack of any real appeals.

Qadri was counter-attacking at the other end against short stuff from Sean Abbott (1-95). Tom Latham shelled a tough chance on the leg-side boundary after the spinner had clubbed a six earlier in the same over.

Qadri and Evison, 21, brought up their 50-run partnership, largely led by the former, in the 66th over.

Another short-pitched delivery from Gus Atkinson (1-55) then was blasted down the ground by 22-year-old Qadri for four to bring up his 50 before he repeated the feat in similar style the next ball.

Surrey finally introduced spin into the attack but Evison whacked Will Jacks’ (0-25) second delivery over his head for a maximum and yet another Qadri four took the seventh-wicket stand beyond the 100-run point.

The hosts had moved to 290-6. But that quickly became 291-9, as all-rounder Jordan Clark got among the wickets. He first dismissed Evison for 42, and then Australian overseas Wes Agar for a two-ball duck and Qadri (72) swiftly after that.

But Indian overseas Arshdeep Singh (12 not out) came to the party with the bat, racking up back-to-back boundaries from his first two