Three Kent batsmen passed the 1,000 Championship run barrier for the summer in a weather-hit match at Northamptonshire.

Rain wiped out much of Kent’s LV= County Championship, Division 2 game against the promotion chasers, which ended in a draw.

In their penultimate championship game, both Rob Key and Brendan Nash struck centuries on the second day to pass the milestone figure.

Darren Stevens’ 63 on the same day also saw him edge past the 1,000-run mark.

Captain James Tredwell was back from England duty for the match at Wantage Road but most of the first day fell victim to the weather, with just 17.1 overs possible.

Kent had been put into bat and they closed on 60-1, with Sam Northeast (14) being the only wicket to fall.

Key (101), Nash (107) and Stevens all impressed the following day, however, as Kent batted throughout, closing on 418 all out.

On day three, rain again intervened, limiting play to just 47 overs, with Northants reaching 183-1.

Northants declared on day four, on 431-5, to claim maximum batting bonus points and leave them well placed to claim the second promotion spot behind champions Lancashire.

Northants’ James Middlebrook fell for 109, edging Adam Ball’s delivery to Sam Billings – in the team and behind the stumps ahead of Geraint Jones – while fellow centurian David Sales (110) was also caught by Billings, off Charlie Shreck (2-80).

Kent, third from bottom, end their season against Lancashire starting at Canterbury on Tuesday.