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Kent batsman Alex Blake targets place in Championship side

Alex Blake hopes his knock of 88 in Kent's final match before Friday’s Championship opener against Gloucestershire will be enough to get him in the team.

The 28-year-old led the way with the bat as Kent completed a two-day friendly with Surrey at Canterbury on Monday.

The Beckenham-born ace was run-out by Zafar Ansari 12 runs short of a century but said he was happy with how his preparation had gone.

Alex Blake. Picture: Chris Davey
Alex Blake. Picture: Chris Davey

“It’s always nice to get a few runs in pre-season and put my name in the hat (for selection), that’s all I can do.

"I’m totally aware that we’ve got a strong side that will be raring to go for Friday, whether I’m involved in that, I’m not sure, but I’ve put my name forward with some runs.”

Often renowned as a white-ball specialist, the restructuring of fixtures into blocks this season is sure to suit Blake in his bid to become a four-day regular.

He said: "Being able to train specifically for each format will definitely help.

"It has always been a case for me to transfer my white-ball game to the four-day, that’s a mindset thing for me,

"I like to try and score, but I have worked on a couple of weaknesses over the winter so hopefully I’ll see the rewards of that.

"With a bit more patience, I can build a few more innings and last a bit longer and with more work, I’ll be going in the right direction.”

On the opening day, Surrey raced to 200 without loss, with openers Mark Stoneman (70*) and Rory Burns (48*) retiring.

James Tredwell trapped Scott Borthwick (36) while Matt Hunn ousted Ansari and Imran Qayyum accounted for Sam Curran to leave the visitors on 253-3 though they ended the day on 339-3.

In reply Daniel Bell-Drummond (10) and Joe Weatherley (7) didn’t linger while Sean Dickson made 27 and Darren Stevens departed for a duck as Kent slipped to 79-4.

Blake and Will Gidman (16) steadied the ship with a 50-stand and Blake added another 72 with Adam Rouse before being run-out for 88.

He added: "It was a shame not to get three figures but it’s pleasing to get runs against a good attack and hopefully it has done me a couple of favours.”

Rouse and Matt Coles each went for 39 before Gidman and Dickson departed for a second time in a day, falling for four apiece, while Tredwell made 26 as Kent batted on to close the final day on the unusual score of 304/11.

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