Billy Godleman scored his second century of the match as Derbyshire set Kent 329 to win on a rain-affected Day Three at The 3aaa County Ground.
The 26-year-old hit an unbeaten 105, to go with his 108 in the first innings and 101 against Leicestershire last time out, to record his third successive LV= County Championship hundred and become only the fifth Derbyshire player ever to achieve the feat.
Chesney Hughes (50) also hit a half-century before the hosts declared on 234-3 following a lengthy rain delay to set Kent 329 for victory. The visitors successfully negotiated the remaining 10 overs to close on 30-0 with a further 299 runs required on the final day.
63.5: #CENTURY! Two centuries in the match for Billy Godleman! 180 balls, 11 fours, one six. #DCCC 221-3 #DERvKEN pic.twitter.com/MjVq916lv5
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) August 23, 2015
Godleman brought up his half-century from 80 balls in the morning session as Derbyshire established a considerable lead. Chesney Hughes reached his own fifty shortly after before he was bowled by England spin bowler James Tredwell.
Derbyshire accelerated after lunch with a flurry of boundaries, led by Wayne Madsen, taking the lead beyond 300, but the Derbyshire Captain fell just short of his half-century as he was bowled by Ivan Thomas for 43.
But Godleman continued on his way to register his second century of the match and his third straight hundred in the Championship, becoming the first Derbyshire player since Kim Barnett in 1990 to achieve the feat.
#CENTURY! The imperious Billy Godleman celebrates two centuries in the match! Batted, Bill! #DERvKEN #P2bD pic.twitter.com/YLWlzdovMd
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) August 23, 2015
Tea was taken at 3.15pm following interruptions due to rain and bad light and when play eventually resumed at 5.45pm, Derbyshire declared on 234-3 to set Kent 329 to win.
Openers Daniel Bell-Drummond (18 not out) and Rob Key (11 not out) safely navigated the last 10 overs of the day to guide their side to 30-0 at stumps, with a further 299 runs required for victory on Day Four.
Click here to view our Day Four report
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