County Championship D1, Old Trafford: Lancashire 164-1 v Kent (day one, stumps)
Iain Sutcliffe and Mal Loye both hit unbeaten fifties as Lancashire made a solid start to their Division One match against Kent at Old Trafford.
Play was delayed by rain until 1445 GMT and when it finally got under way the hosts moved to 164-1 in the 50 overs that were possible before the close.
Sutcliffe finished with 57 not out, his highest score of the season, while Loye was unbeaten on 62.
Simon Cook claimed the only wicket when he pinned Paul Horton lbw for 29.
Horton, who fell just before tea, was dropped by wicketkeeper Geraint Jones on seven and by Martin van Jaarsveld at slip on 25.
Loye and Sutcliffe shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 93, with Loye the dominant partner.
He took 67 balls to reach his fifty and actually beat Sutcliffe, who took 131 balls to reach his half-century, to the mark by an over.
Wicketkeeper Jones capped off his miserable afternoon by missing the opportunity to stump Sutcliffe on 50 late in the day.
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