Watch: Kent’s Ben Compton was unable to carry his bat for the second time in the match after being adjudged lbw in the second innings during a County Championship match against Lancashire at Canterbury.
Lancashire piled on 506 batting first in the fixture, and took a substantial lead after Kent were bowled out for 260 in their reply. The major highlight from the innings was an unbeaten hundred by Compton, who carried his bat in scoring 104 not out from 289 deliveries. Only one other batter, opener Zak Crawley, crossed fifty in the innings as Kent were asked to follow on.
At 82-7 in their second innings, still trailing by 164 runs, Kent were in danger of falling to an innings defeat, but Compton came to the rescue yet again, finishing on 115. The opener combined with Hamidullah Qadri and took the score to 221 before the latter was dismissed for 77, his highest first-class score. Nathan Gilchrist departed for a duck after surviving 14 balls, which brought the last batter Jackson Bird to the crease. Bird was unbeaten on 17 when Kent were all out for 279.
Compton’s ton was his third in three first-class innings, an extraordinary run from a batter who joined the club from Nottinghamshire ahead of this summer. In the first game of the season, against Essex, Compton had made 129 off 289 deliveries.
The 28-year-old’s innings was ended with a contentious call from the umpire, with the left-handed adjudged to be lbw. George Balderson, bowling from round the wicket, saw the batter attempt to play across the line, with the ball striking the back leg. Even though the impact looked as if it may have been outside off stump, the umpire raised his finger, sending back Compton for a 340-ball 115.
Lancashire went on to win the game by 10 wickets, chasing down the target of 34.
His dismissal led to plenty of reactions:
Shocking decision
— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) April 17, 2022
Strewth, I’ve just seen the LBW decision to remove Compton. Absolute shocker. Not even Ray Julian would have given that out. (Though in fairness he would probably have triggered Jackson Bird first ball.)
— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) April 18, 2022
Cricket Badger #CountyCricket2022
Player of the WeekBen Compton didn't deserve his match to end like this – atrocious decision.
104* and last man out for 115, this lbw prevented him from carrying his bat twice in same match when scoring centuries (would have been third ever). https://t.co/R8Rnel0wqT
— James Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) April 18, 2022