ROB KEY’S quest to win back his England Test spot started in earnest with a patient century that gave Kent a slight edge over Surrey on the opening day of Tunbridge Wells Festival.

The England discard featured in two century stands in a lop-sided Kent scorecard of 262 all out that included only a brace of double-figure scores to go with Key’s 26th first-class ton.

Despite having elected to bat first on a slow and sometimes troublesome pitch at The Nevill, the hosts appeared to be cruising smoothly as David Fulton and Key posted 112 for the first wicket only five overs after lunch.

But then Martin Bicknell, who claimed his 1000th first class wicket against Kent last summer, put in a second devastating spell from the Pavilion End of four for nought inside 20 balls to turn the day on its head.

David Fulton (45) and Martin van Jaarsveld (0) went leg before to successive balls, Matt Walker (0) chopped on attempting an extravagant force and Darren Stevens (1) edged behind to give Bicknell four victims without conceding a run.

Debutant Justin Kemp (3) lasted only 18 balls before driving to mid-off to make it 125 for five leaving the onus of responsibility with England discard Rob Key, who reached a patient and chanceless century from 226 balls and with 16 fours.

Key teamed up with Andrew Hall to add exactly 100 for the sixth wicket in 30 overs before Key’s demise led to a collapse that saw Kent lose their last five wickets for 33 runs in the space of nine overs.

Key’s 316-minute stay ended for 112 and with his first truly false shot of the day, a lose drive off James Benning that picked out the tumbling Scott Newman at extra cover.

Hall went on to mark his home debut with an 86-ball half-century, but his partners fell steadily at the other end as left-arm spinner Doshi recovered from Key’s earlier hiding to post respectable three for 58 figures.

Niall O’Brien played across a full-length Benning delivery to go leg before, Simon Cook failed to cover a turning ball that grazed off stump and Min Patel’s pre-meditated sweep was snaffled at leg slip by Clarke, who ran from slip having anticipated the shot.

Hall was last man out to an uppish drive to extra cover as Kent fell 38 short of a third batting bonus point.

Surrey batted out the final five overs of the day without alarm, leaving the game intriguingly poised as they go into the second day 240 in arrears.

SCORECARD

Kent first innings

D P Fulton lbw b Bicknell 45

R W T Key c Newman b Benning 112

M van Jaarsveld lbw b Bicknell 0

M J Walker b Bicknell 0

D I Stevens c Batty b Bicknell 1

J Kemp c Ramprakash b Benning 3

A J Hall c Ramprakash b Doshi 61

N J O’Brien lbw b Benning 1

S J Cook b Doshi 5

M M Patel c Clarke b Doshi 3

M J Saggers not out 5

Extras 26

Total 262 all out after 92.4 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-112, 2-112, 3-114, 4-118, 5-129, 6-229, 7-233, 8-245, 9-251.

Bowling: Bicknell 24-10-31-4, Akram 20-6-51-0, Doshi 13.4-1-58-3, Clarke 12-2-45-0, Benning 16-1-57-3, Salisbury 7-2-16-0.

Surrey first innings

S A Newman not out 3

R S Clinton not out 15

Extras 4

Total 22 without loss after five overs.

Bowling: Saggers 2-0-3-0, Hall 2-0-5-0, Cook 1-0-10-0.