AN ANDREW SYMONDS century saved Kent from total ignominy at Beckenham where the hosts reached an unsatisfactory 249 for eight going into the final day of a rain-affected Frizzell Championship match.

Responding to Warwickshire’s first innings total of 502 for six declared, Kent slumped to 86 for four before Symonds came to the rescue with an unbeaten 124.

Returning to the scene of his stunning Twenty20 innings of 96 from 37 balls here last June, the Australian all-rounder reached three figures from just 108 balls in a mature, yet equally aggressive innings.

Having seen the side lose four wickets inside 32 overs - including England bat Ed Smith who chopped on for two - Symonds went onto the counter attack to club his third century of the championship season.

His only noteworthy support of the afternoon session came from Min Patel with a brisk 24 for his part in an eighth-wicket stand of 69 in 13 overs.

Niall O’Brien (13) went leg before playing back on his stumps and Alex Loudon (9) offered a simple bat-pad catch as Australian wrist spinner Brad Hogg took four for 64.

All in all, this was another disappointing first innings batting performance by Kent against a makeshift Warwickshire attack without injured spearheads Heath Streak and Dewald Pretorius.

Kent, who trail by 253, will still require a further 104 to avoid the follow-on on the fourth and final day, but a fairly benign pitch coupled with a dismal weather forecast should ensure the second-placed hosts at least mange to draw with the divisional leaders.

SCORECARD