Nathan Gilchrist takes career-best 6-24 as Kent (261) lead Lancashire (92 & 119-4) by 50 runs at Old Trafford

Nathan Gilchrist took a career-best 6-24 as Kent took complete control of their Vitality County Championship Division 1 match against Lancashire on day two at Old Trafford.

Replying to the visitors’ 261, Keaton Jennings’ side were bowled out for 92 in 30 overs, with both Gilchrist and Wes Agar, who bagged 4-35, making the most of cloudy conditions.

“Realistically I’m nowhere near my best considering I’ve only played five games in the last 18 months but days like today give you a lot of confidence going into the next few games,” said Gilchrist.

“Obviously we’re very positive. We bowled in some really good conditions but as a group I thought we performed well.

“Wes Agar bowled well and then my job was made quite easy. I just had to run in and keep things simple. The ball was doing a fair bit and it’s pleasing when the hard work paid off.

“Following on was quite a simple decision because the conditions were still in our favour but we probably didn’t make the most of it at the start of their second innings. But getting our wickets has made it a lot easier going into the third day.”

Presented with the luxury of a 169-run first-innings lead, Kent skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond chose to enforce the follow-on and his decision was justified as Lancashire lost three wickets for as many runs late in the day to finish on 119-4, still 50 runs in arrears.

In the 40 minutes’ play that had been possible before lunch, Kent resumed on 203-7 and added 36 runs for the loss of Agar, who was bowled for 13 when he went back to a quicker delivery from Nathan Lyon that turned through the gate.

The new ball was taken immediately after lunch and brought immediate dividends when Gilchrist was caught behind by Matty Hurst off Tom Bailey for 10, but