County Championship: Dane Vilas and Steven Croft hit tons as Lancashire make Kent suffer

Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas has now hit seven first-class centuries for Lancashire, half of former captain Steven Croft's tally of 14

Lancashire pair Dane Vilas and Steven Croft both made centuries as Lancashire made 344-4 on the opening day of their season against Kent at Canterbury.

After being joined by Croft at 80-3, skipper Vilas made 124 in a 215-run fourth-wicket stand in 60 overs.

After 39 from Luke Wells earlier, Phil Salt then came in to hit a quickfire 33 on his debut as he helped Croft put on an further 49 before the close.

Croft survived when he might have been run out, but ended the day on 113.

Matt Milnes and Nathan Gilchrist shared the only four wickets to fall in the day.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Lancs openers George Balderson and Wells made 36 before the breakthrough came, when Gilchrist replaced Jackson Bird at the Pavilion End.

His second ball found Balderson's edge, who was dropped in the slips by a combination of Zak Crawley and Jordan Cox. But it was only a very temporary reprieve as Gilchrist got him with the very next ball, caught behind by Ollie Robinson - and it was the same combination that did for Wells with the score on 51.

When Milnes subsequently trapped last season's top Lancs run-maker Josh Bohannon lbw for 19 Lancashire were wobbling, and Kent had shaded the first session.

But Vilas and Croft then added 149 runs, barely offering a chance.

Vilas was first to reach his 100 before being removed by the new ball when he slashed Milnes to Ben Compton at gully.

But there was no further success for Kent, who lost Afghan spinner Hamidullah Qadri to a hand injury during the evening session.

Kent's Nathan Gilchrist:

"In the first session there was a bit there for us but when the sun came out it just baked it a little and it was pretty tough work for the rest of the day. It was quite a grind.

"We stuck to our guns quite well, but it's quite an easy-scoring wicket. It's the sort of wicket where you've just got be patient and hit the top of off, so hopefully we'll be able to do that."

Lancashire's Steven Croft:

"On a personal note it's very pleasing to get out there and score runs, and more importantly put on a great partnership and see us in a very strong position.

"Dane was his usual self. He kept it ticking and I was more patient. I'm just grateful to be out there and get a century in the first game of the year to calm a few nerves."