Kent's Martin van Jaarsveld in action on the final day at Canterbury.
Picture: Barry Goodwin

Kent lost to Warwickshire by 44 runs in Division 1 of the county championship after a batting collapse on the final day at Canterbury on Friday.

Rob Key's men had been on course for victory as, chasing 201 to win, they were well placed on 114-3 but then lost their final seven wickets for just 42 runs.

After being held up by England's Ian Bell (94) on the third day, Kent made early inroads on Friday and managed to wrap up Warwickshire's second innings for 327, giving them a lead of 200. Simon Cook took 3-75, Amjad Khan 3-63 and there were two wickets for Martin van Jaarsveld's part-time off-spin.

Joe Denly went second ball without score in Kent's chase, leaving them 4-1 at lunch. Key's (22) miserable season with the bat continued and Geraint Jones (12) also fell cheaply.

Van Jaarsveld (59) and Sam Northeast (26) appeared to be putting Kent on course for victory with a stand of 53 but both fell in quick succession.

There would have been eyesbrows raised among members and coaching staff alike as Matt Coles and Darren Stevens both holed out against Imran Tahir, who finished with figures of 4-27 from 16 overs.

Kent had led by 127 runs on first innings thanks to 95 by Joe Denly and a Stevens half-century. Warwickshire made 250 (Coles 4-55) first time around but improved to reach 327 in their second innings.

Warwickshire took 21 points and Kent seven, leaving the hosts just one place off the foot of the table after four matches.