Seamers Matt Coles and Calum Haggett came to Kent’s rescue with the bat after they had made a stuttering reply to Gloucestershire’s 193 on the second day of the LV=County Championship match at Bristol.

The visitors slumped to 98 for seven, with Liam Norwell claiming three of the wickets to take his first class tally for the season to 31, before left-handers Coles (42 not out) and Haggett (43 not out) produced an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 85 with few alarms to guide their side to 183 for seven at tea.

A morning session twice interrupted by rain saw Gloucestershire’s bowlers dominate, Norwell (three for 28) being well supported by David Payne (two for 28).

Kent’s top six batsmen made just 73 runs between them, Daniel Bell-Drummond faring best with 26, on a pitch holding few terrors but offering a little seam movement in blustery conditions.

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