KENT lost two top-order wickets in as many deliveries as they set about responding to Worcestershire's first innings total of 401 at Canterbury today.

The hosts had reached 30 without loss when they lost England batsmen Rob Key and Ed Smith to successive deliveries from Nadeem Malik.

Bowling with good pace and bounce from the Nackington Road End, the former Nottinghamshire paceman had Key (13) well held low down at cover by Ben Smith.

Key questioned whether the chance had carried to the fielder before finally being sent on his way by umpire John Steele.

The very next ball, a full-length away swinger, caught Smith on the hop and his late-back foot defensive shot brushed the outside edge to fly to Vikram Solanki at slip.

David Fulton (33) and Matt Walker (18) took the score on to 71 for two by a late tea interval at 4.35pm, but Worcestershire remained sharper in all aspects of the game.

Their bowling was tight, fielding tigerish, and their catching sound as they made Kent pay for losing their way in the morning session.

Resuming on their overnight score of 212 for five, Worcestershire were allowed past 400 for a fifth batting bonus point by a wayward and ill disciplined Kent attack.

Some 40 runs were conceded in no balls in a dismal total of 63 extras. Solanki top-scored with 84 and there were 50s for Stephen Peters and Andy Bichel.