KENT enjoyed a resounding seven wicket win over Nottinghamshire in their opening pre-season friendly of the year in Canterbury on Thursday.

Batting second in sunny, but fairly cool conditions at St Lawrence, Kent eased past Nottinghamshire's 50-over total of 188 for seven with 16 overs to spare courtesy of an unbeaten 105 from Martin van Jaarsveld.

The South African right-hander hit 14 fours and three sixes in his run-a-ball century and featured in a thrilling stand worth 115 with Darren Stevens, who fell for 48 just three runs before Kent reached the finish line.

Earlier, the visitors had Mark Wagh's 48 to thank for saving face after they lost wickets steadily throughout the morning session.

England's one-day winter tourist James Tredwell bagged two for 54, but the most successful Kent bowler on show was trialist David Burton.

A willowy pace bowler from Surrey who played some 2nd XI cricket with Gloucestershire last summer, Burton bagged three for 46 in impressive stints from both ends of the St Lawrence ground.

Teenager Charlie Hemphrey, an 18-year-old off-spinner from Hythe, bowled five accurate overs on his first team bow but finished with nought for 15.

The teams will meet again on Friday in a second, one-day game starting at 11am when Kent are set to include Amjad Khan on his first appearance in over a year through injury.