PACE bowler Amjad Khan defied the wintery spring weather to help Kent dismiss visitors Middlesex for 270 on the opening day of their pre-season friendly at St Lawrence.

Though Canterbury escaped the snow that smothered some parts of the county early on Monday, the wind chill factor still made life harsh for bowlers and batters alike on this the first day of two.

Only Middlesex all-rounder Paul Weekes provided much resistance with a counter-attacking 62 as the visitors were dismsissed inside 62.4 overs.

In reply, Kent reached 98 for two after 27 overs at the close with former skipper David Fulton unbeaten with 34.

Fulton stroked six fours in his unbeaten 74-ball stay, while his successor and opening partner Rob Key went for 19 to the bowling of Johann Louw, then Joe Denly also fell just before stumps for an attractive 32.

Earlier, Khan had given Kent's attack a cutting edge with figures of two for 41 including the scalp of his former team-mate Ed Smith.

Smith, who was dismissed by Khan three times last summer, reached 28 before losing his leg stump to one that nipped back through the gate.

Khan missed out on another scalp when he plucked out the middle stump of David Nash only to be no-balled for over-stepping.

Spinners James Tredwell and Rob Ferley gave useful support with three for 56 and two for 33 respectively, while Robbie Joseph, Simon Cook and David Stiff bagged a wicket apiece.

The game concludes on Tuesday.