A marathon day of 119 overs under a hot sun in Maidstone did Ireland A few favours and the Kent 2nd XI are big favourites to complete victory today.

The Irish are 47 runs in front with just three second innings wickets standing with Stuart Thompson standing firm and only the tail for company. It completed a good all-round day for the Limavady all rounder, who has been invited for a second trial with Somerset next month and he must have must have impressed Kent in this match.

Yesterday, he took three wickets in four balls including the prize scalp of England Under-19 star Daniel Bell-Drummond for 147 but the county lower-order still hung around and added a vital 68 for the last three wickets to give them a first innings lead of 176.

When Ireland A reached 175 for two, the game seemed set for a thrilling climax today but Lee Nelson, after reaching 49, with seven fours, was trapped in front and before the deficit was cleared, Andrew Poynter, for the second time in the match was also leg before to his fifth ball for just one. Captain James Shannon went the same way after getting to 41 and the most frustrated of the lot was probably Tom Fisher, the only batsman to reach 50 but he gave a gentle return catch to the grandson of Colin Cowdrey immediately afterwards.

Andy Britton is is in the squad for next week’s game against Gloucestershire II, a tweet doing the rounds yesterday has confirmed his inclusion.