CANTERBURY

(Day one of four: Durham won toss)

Kent 190 for 9 (R.W.T. Key 58, S.J. Harmison 4-72)

Lunch

Durham, requiring a victory and the failings of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire in order to finish top of the first division, put Kent in to bat on a damp pitch following rain which delayed the start until 11.14. This looked to be an inspired decision when Steve Harmison immediately made the ball rear off a length at considerable pace and had Joe Denly taken at the wicket by Phil Mustard. This was the promising young opener’s third duck in succession. Geraint Jones, going in at number three, saw off Harmison only to be leg before in Mark Davies’ first over, padding up to a ball that he expected to slant across him. Rob Key, unbeaten on 39, and Martin van Jaarsveld, saw Kent, who also require a victory in order to ensure their first division status, through to lunch.

Tea

Kent collapsed dismally after lunch, losing seven wickets including four for nine runs, by tea.

Martin van Jaarsveld went without addition, attempting to pull Mark Davies through mid wicket and held at mid off from a leading edge. Darren Stevens batted as freely as anyone in making 41, square cutting Steve Harmison for six to the short boundary in front of the Kent Academy, before he was leg before to his brother, Ben, padding up in the manner of Geraint Jones earlier in the day.

Rob Key, the top scorer with 58 including ten fours, went to a beauty from Steve Harmison that left him and took the edge of a defensive prod; Ryan McLaren was well taken by Mustard; Justin Kemp was leg before looking to play Steve Harmison through mid wicket; and, other than a few conventional shots from Robbie Joseph, the tail offered little.

Close

No play was possible after tea.