Stand-in Kent skipper Jack Leaning on criticism after a record-breaking County Championship defeat to Surrey, discussions with captain Sam Billings and returning to T20 Blast action

Jack Leaning insists winning games of professional cricket isn’t always as easy as some fans think after Kent’s record-breaking County Championship Division 1 defeat to Surrey.

They looked in a good position when, having bowled out the reigning champions for 145 first time around, they added a second-innings 344 - 43 more than they achieved in the first innings - to set the visitors 501 for victory in Canterbury.

Only once before in County Championship history had a side failed to defend more than 500 in a losing cause but tons by opener Dom Sibley (140 not out), wicketkeeper Ben Foakes (124) and Jamie Smith (114) saw Surrey to 501-5.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” said stand-in skipper Leaning, filling in for dropped captain Sam Billings.

“It’s not always as easy as it looks from the sidelines - believe it or not. The boys are always trying to win the game. There’s certainly no lack of effort in there.

“We were beaten by the better team this week because ultimately in four-day cricket, whoever plays the best throughout the week, always wins.”

Kent required seven wickets for victory on the final day but only took two, one from Joe Denly’s leg-spin and another off Indian overseas debutant Arshdeep Singh.

Asked if that showed how flat the pitch had become, batsman Leaning replied: “It was a very good wicket on Wednesday, I think it’s been a very good wicket all game, to be honest.

“It’s not had excessive amounts of pace but it’s been a good cricket wicket. They showed us how to bat, fourth innings, and I think it’s pretty good for us to focus on them having won the game, rather than us losing it.

“The boys gave everything and we tried every different plan - we went short, full, wide, slower balls, bouncers, spin