Kent's overseas bowling duo Matt Henry and Navdeep Saini both struck late on day three as they took the upper hand against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Joe Denly's magnificent century enabled Kent to declare with nine overs of the day remaining, during which time the hosts lost two wickets as they set off in search of 325 for victory.

Kent will now hope that the forecast rain on Friday does not thwart their efforts to complete a vital win in Division 1 of the LV=Insurance County Championship

Denly's 141, his 30th first-class century and his first since 2019, was well supported by Jordan Cox (79). The pair added 196 in 56 overs, a Kent fifth-wicket record against Warwickshire.

After rain washed out the morning session, the visitors resumed on 198-4 and Denly and Cox advanced in unhurried fashion.

Denly and Cox batted throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the partnership ending when Cox chipped Danny Briggs to short extra to leave Kent 301-5.

Denly then edged the persevering Craig Miles to slip before Matt Henry hit three sixes, taking his match tally to 60 from 44 balls, to expedite the declaration on 384-9 after Matt Quinn came out at the fall of the ninth wicket and promptly his the only delivery he faced for six.

In Warwickshire's reply, Kent took just 12 balls to strike as Alex Davies edged a lifter from Saini to wicketkeeper Sam Billings.

And they closed the day on 28-2 when Henry trapped Chris Benjamin lbw for nine, still needing a further 297 runs for victory.

"We are very happy with the position we are in," said Denly. "We are really in the game on a tricky wicket and hopefully we can turn up tomorrow and create eight more chances.

"It was tricky batting out there especially against the new ball which moved around and there was a little bit of variable bounce.

"Coxy's been in superb form this season. He is a fine young player and I think there is plenty more runs to come from him throughout his career.

"That partnership has really set us up nicely to go on and try to win it and the boys bowled superbly this evening to get us a couple of wickets late on."