County Championship: Felix Organ maiden century puts Hampshire on top against Kent
- Published
Hampshire's Rilee Rossouw struck his first County Championship half-century since the end of May
Specsavers County Championship Division One, Ageas Bowl, Southampton (day one): |
Hampshire 340-6: Organ 100, Rossouw 92, Holland 60; Stevens 2-56 |
Kent: Yet to bat |
Hampshire 3 pts, Kent 2 pts |
A maiden first-class century from Felix Organ helped put Hampshire in a strong position against Kent.
The 20-year-old opener fell a ball after reaching his ton, but shared in a 166-run partnership with Rilee Rossouw (92) for Hampshire's third wicket.
Wickets from Darren Stevens (2-56) brought Kent back into contention before Hampshire closed on 340-6.
Organ struck eight fours and four sixes in his 234-ball knock, which came in just his third first-class appearance.
Fellow opener Ian Holland (60) backed up his own maiden first-class century against Warwickshire last week by putting on 95 earlier in the day with Organ.
While it was a day of tough work for Kent's bowlers, three brilliant bits of fielding did keep their hopes up.
Daniel Bell-Drummond took a sharp catch in the covers to dismiss India batsman Ajinkya Rahane cheaply, Heino Kuhn caught Rossouw at full-stretch with a one-handed slip catch off Ollie Rayner, while Joe Denly hung on running backwards at mid-on to a mistimed pull shot by Aneurin Donald (40).
Hampshire batsman Felix Organ told BBC Radio Solent:
"It was awesome. I remember the first game I played here and I got a massive clap when I scored a run and thought 'oh my word this is awesome, I've only scored one run' then getting a hundred was the best feeling ever.
"I don't usually play in front of this many people. I've played here since Under-9s and it all builds up to this. This is what I practice and play for.
"You always hope that it will happen but after last week, despite only scoring one, I thought I can do this.
"Batting with Dutch (Ian Holland) is easy because he scores quite quickly which means I can just bat, which is the same with Rilee. When they score with good pace it means you can hold in there and take your time."
Kent assistant coach Allan Donald told BBC Radio Kent:
"It's an absolute peach of a wicket.
"They played very well and we took half-chances magnificently.
"I'm proud of how we stuck at it.
"That first hour is key to bowl them out quickly and get batting."