Kent's batsmen took advantage of an inexperienced attack to amass 366 for two from only 77 overs on the opening day of the county's three-day friendly with Leeds/ Bradford University Centre of Cricketing Excellence.

A placid pitch at the St Lawrence ground in Canterbury coupled with some fairly toothless student bowling allowed openers Rob Key and Joe Denly both to score centuries in an outstanding opening stand worth 225 in 43 overs, both players moving to their hundreds with sixes.

Denly hit 17 fours and a six before falling for an impressive 122 made in 168 minutes and from 130 balls. His skipper Key, who hit 15 fours and a six, had followed him to the three-figure milestone from 149 deliveries and inside 155 minutes before both fell in the space of nine overs.

Denly was first out, caught at the second attempt off a skier at mid-on then, with his score on 105, Key ran down the pitch in trying to loft the ball straight only to miss out and offer a simple stumping chance that made it 271 for two.

Matt Walker and Martin van Jaarsveld, both fresh from impressive scores against Surrey at Beckenham earlier in the week, then teamed up to add a further 57 for the third wicket until heavy rain showers sent the players scurrying in for an early tea with the hosts on 328 for two.

Umpires David Millns and Graham Burgess inspected at 4.30pm and again at 5pm, but a soggy outfield kept the teams off until 5.45pm when play resumed for a further 45 minutes.

Van Jaarsveld, who has already taken pre-season tons off Nottinghamshire and Surrey, reached 50 in an hour from 49-balls and finished the day unbeaten on 71, while Walker went in at the close with 54 not out, having taken 99 minutes and 82 balls to get to his half-century.

The game resumes at 11am on Sunday and admission for spectators is free.