Superb Ramprakash punishes Kent

Mark Ramprakash smashed his 103rd career century as Surrey's rain-hit championship match against Kent finally saw action on day three at Canterbury.

The 39-year-old arrived at the crease at 0-1 after opener Scott Newman had been bowled by Robbie Joseph.

And Ramprakash laid into Kent's attack, smashing 127 off 176 balls with 12 boundaries and six sixes before he was caught off Yasir Arafat (3-42).

Surrey finished the day on 220-5, with Usman Afzaal unbeaten on 31 not out.

A positive result seems highly unlikely after two washout days, leaving struggling Surrey to play for as many bonus points on offer.

Only seven overs were possible in the morning session, but Joseph had enough time to collect his 50th wicket of the season when Newman opted to leave a ball which uprooted his off stump.

But soon after Ramprakash began to find his stride, although he was fortunate to survive when James Tredwell dropped a sharp chance at slip off Joseph when he was on 31.

Opener Chris Murtagh became the first of Pakistani Arafat's three wickets, edging a catch to Geraint Jones, bringing a laborious innings of nine to an end.

Ramprakash brought up his half-century with a cover-driven six off Ryan McLaren, repeating the same treatment for Arafat and Darren Stevens.

Jonathan Batty contributed 13 as he put on 56 with his former captain before he was caught at third man off Amjad Khan.

Ably assisted by Afzaal, Ramprakash maintained his aggressive manner to bring up his 50th century for Surrey.

His brilliant innings was brought to an end when he edged Arafat to Tredwell - the man who had earlier dropped him at the start of his innings - at slip.

Afzaal added a further 30 runs with Matthew Spriegel (16 not out) before stumps.