HE IS barely mid-way through a degree course in marketing but Matt Dennington is doing a decent job of promoting his claim to become Kent’s No1 all-rounder.

Mark Ealham’s departure to Trent Bridge left a huge void in the county’s one-day side and an imbalance to their championship team, which may yet be solved by Dennington’s steady progress.

The 21-year-old from Durban marked his fifth championship appearance with his maiden first-class half-century as he and Ian Butler dug in to save the county from defeat.

Dennington also bagged the wickets of Scott Newman, Richard Clinton and Mark Ramprakash for the second, three-wicket haul of his fledgling career.

It is early days of course and Dennington would maybe prefer to transpose his batting and bowling averages, but progress is progress and there is no doubting the South African’s willingness to learn.

He said: “I was pleased with my overall contribution against Surrey that’s for sure. My bowling was a bit expensive, but I got some crucial top-order wickets, and I just tried to stick in there with my batting.

“I set myself little targets to survive five overs at a time and sticking to some limitations on my shots.

“I wasn’t too concerned about scoring runs, but it was a special moment when I hit those three fours in an over to reach the 50.”

Following Spitfires’ appalling Twenty20 campaign, skipper David Fulton bemoaned the lack of an “at the death” seamer with variation, words which made Dennington sit up and take note.

“When my rhythm and action are good I get that extra yard of pace and in a way that’s a variation in itself.

“I’m swinging the ball well right now, and that’s my biggest asset, so although I’ve scored my first 50 I’m in high spirits over my bowling because I’m really enjoying it.

“I said at the beginning of the season I saw there was a place for a bowler to come in, mix-up his pace and deceive players through variation.

“I’m hoping to develop in those terms and have been working on two slower balls, one that comes out of the back of the hand with a straight seam and an off-cutter.

“The trick with both is to keep the same arm speed as my usual delivery and to completely get through my action, that way there is more deception.”

Though pleased with his recent contributions, Dennington is determined to work hard and cement his place well beyond 2005 and the second year of his maiden contract.

“I’ve had a few nice ‘well dones’ from the Kent committee and a couple of texts from Chris Stone and Richard Ellison. I’ve been doing plenty of work with those two guys so it was nice for them to back me up.

“My plan to become England-qualified is to be here in England for 210 days each year, and this is me second year of four. That’s secondary in many ways, though, as I’m really only concentrating on doing well for Kent.

“It’s unbelievable how much I’ve still to learn about this game, particularly the thought processes that are involved, but the more I learn the more I’m enjoying it all.”