Rain coupled with Martin Bicknell's maiden first-class century saved Surrey from the ignominy of a three-day Championship defeat at the hands of Kent in Canterbury today.

The former England man, widely tipped for an Ashes recall this summer, scored an unbeaten 110 from 148 balls to help Surrey recover from the depths of 44 for six to reach 193 for eight by the time bad light and rain ended Kent's quest for victory with Surrey holding a slender 150-run lead going into the final day.

Kent's new-ball partnership of Martin Saggers and Ben Trott claimed three wickets apiece in the first session, but after the loss of 17 overs to rain Bicknell joined forces with Jonathan Batty to add 74 for the seventh wicket with Batty contributing 18.

The Surrey wicket-keeper's 92-minute stay finally ended when he edged to Kent counterpart Paul Nixon off the bowling of Martin McCague to make it 118 for seven.

Ian Salisbury also edged to Nixon soon afterwards to give Matthew Fleming his second scalp of the match, but Saqlain Mushtaq teamed up with Bicknell to see the hosts through to tea without further alarm.

Bicknell, whose previous best Championship score of 88 came at Hampshire nine years ago, sailed through the 90s after tea to reach three-figures in 159 minutes and with 14 fours.

In tandem with Saqlain, who scored 13 from 61 balls, Bicknell saw Surrey through to the premature close and into the fourth and final day when second-placed Kent will remain favourites to wrap up their fifth win of the campaign.

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