KENT struck three times in cloudy, near ideal post-lunch conditions but a poor over rate and indiciplined bowling may yet cost them dearly in the context of the game.

Rain forced visitors Worcestershire into an early tea on 212 for five, having just lost their top-scorer Stephen Peters for 76 - but Kent might have been in a far stronger position.

Peters, who joined the Midlands' county from Essex, scored his runs off 160 balls and finally went when edging an attempted drive onto his stumps to give Alamgir Sheriyar his first wicket of the campaign.

In his next over Sheriyar, playing against his former club, seamed one away from David Pipe (12) to have the right-hander caught at slip by James Tredwell.

Earlier, Amjad Khan took his second wicket of the day five overs after lunch when he had Ben Smith (8)caught at backward point by Michael Carberry.

The situation might have been even rosier for Kent had they not sent down 17 no balls, one of which cost Sheriyar the wicket of Peters as he edged to the keeper only to hear the umpire's call.

Two more no balls muted confident leg before appeals, while an over rate of minus five is further cause for concern to skipper David Fulton who, under the new playing regulations, stands to be docked 2.5 bowling bonus points.

The players came off for showers at 3.45pm, but with the showers growing heavier and light fading, prospects for any further play on day one looked bleak.

Kent: Fulton, Key, Smith, Walker, Carberry, Jones, Tredwell,Khan, Saggers, Stiff, Sheriyar.