A CRICKET season is a marathon not a sprint and while Kent were slow out of the blocks in their opening Friends Provident Trophy tie at Surrey on Sunday, they showed great stamina and heart on Flora London Marathon day to push the hosts all the way in a tight finish at the Brit Oval.

At 52 for seven after 14 overs it seemed certain Spitfires had hit the wall and would not last the course having seen their top-order blown away by the extra bounce and swing of Pakistan pace aces Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Akram having opted to bat first.

But Spitfires' skipper Rob Key played a stunning captain's innings of 108 to help his side reach a respectable 271 when the innings closed 20 balls shy of the scheduled 50 overs.

Key was the dominant partner in Kent's best eighth-wicket stand in all one-day cricket worth 174 in 26 overs with James Tredwell, who scored a county-best 88, as Surrey's makeweight bowlers of Chris Schofield, James Benning and Nayan Doshi disappeared at the rate of almost seven an over.

Key hit 14 fours and a six to reach his maiden Trophy century at a run-a-ball, while Tredwell, having reached his first one-day 50 for the county, went on to plunder three sixes and nine fours as Kent found their second wind.

When the pair came together setting Surrey a testing target seemed a million miles away, let alone the 26 facing the London runners, after Spitfires collapsed virtually from the start line.

Darren Stevens (5) went aiming across the line, Geraint Jones (0) fenced his third ball from Akram to second slip then Martin van Jaarsveld (4) edged a push drive against Akram to give keeper Jonathan Batty the first of five catches.

Matt Walker (0) followed suit when trying to flail through the covers as Akram bagged three for five in 12 balls.

Batty was celebrating again when Joe Denly (0) fished at a wide one from Mahmood and, after being dropped on nought, Yasir Arafat (7) wafted against Steve Magoffin to be caught behind.

Ryan McLaren (11) provided brief respite with a six into the pavilion but Magoffin had his revenge by having him caught at backward point to bring together Key and Tredwell for their epic stand.

Lions had 44 on the board in no time in reply, but Arafat sent back Benning (16) leg before then Cook, in his first over, had Mark Ramprakash (5) caught at third man.

Scott Newman survived what appeared a certain run out from Stevens' direct hit to move to a 51-ball half-century, but Cook, with Jones stood-up, and off-spinner Tredwell, with two quick wickets, turned the game Kent's way for the second time.

Butcher (42) edged a looping catch to short third man then Tredwell deceived Scott Newman (73) in the flight to snare him leg before and set home nerves jangling.

McLaren had Ali Brown caught off a leading edge at cover but Mahmood (63) and Batty formed a crucial sixth wicket partnership that, with the asking rate down to 65 off the last 10, forced Key to use van Jaarsveld's occasional off-spin.

It was Key's last throw of the dice and it proved expensive as Mahmood lofted a six into the seats on his way to a match-winning 63 from 44-balls as he and Batty (52 not out) sealed the win with seven balls and three wickets to spare.

* Keep up to date with all the Kent cricket developments during the season with Mark Pennell's close of play match reports.