AN UNBROKEN second-wicket stand between Kent captain Rob Key and South African Martin van Jaarsveld helped continue their side's comeback against Hampshire on day two of this LV Championship match in sunny Canterbury.

The experienced duo came together just four balls into Kent's second innings when first innings century-maker, Joe Denly, chipped a catch to mid-on to go for nought.

At that point Kent still trailed by 73 and alarm bells were starting to sound but, home supporters in a near 2,000 crowd need not have worried as Key and van Jaarsveld came to the rescue to see their side to a 150 lead come the close.

Kolpak signing van Jaarsveld, who came into the game with a pitiful tally of 42 runs and an average of 8.4, played imperiously to post his eighth century for the county from 166 balls with 10 fours and a six, a dismissive short-armed pull of Dimitri Mascarenhas.

Key, fresh fro scoring 169 in Kent's previous four-day clash in Durham, batted equally impressively in reaching an unbeaten 96 at stumps from 186 balls and with 10 boundaries as he and van Jaarsveld moved within nine of posting a record second wicket stand for Kent against Hampshire.

The pair will look to carry on with the good work on day three and make the most of a pitch that has eased considerably since 16 wickets fell on the opening day.

Earlier, Hampshire's tail continued to wag as the visitors batted on for 41 overs to surpass Kent's disappointing first day total of 199 and reach 272 all out.

Their fight-back was led by all-rounder Mascarenhas who batted 218 minutes for an excellent, season’s best 90.

In tandem with Tom Burrows the seventh wicket partners added 103 in 33 overs to frustrate the Kent attack.

Burrows (35) seemed more intent on survival; he played just five scoring strokes in the opening hour, whereas Mascarenhas went for his shots to bludgeon 12 fours.

It took a slap-stick run out to break the partnership as Burrows, having forced off the back foot into the covers, set off for a single only to hesitate and stumble. He was prone, mid-way between the stumps when Ryan McLaren's throw ran him out at the non-striker's end.

Having been dropped by Key off a miscued hook when on 11, Warne had reached 19 when he went across his stumps in defence against McLaren. Their appeared to be a mix of bat and pad, but Kent's fielders went up for a leg-before appeal which was upheld by umpire Tim Robinson.

Clearly dismayed, Warne hesitated at the crease longer than he should and a volley of expletives on the way back to the pavilion ensured the crowd knew he was unhappy with the decision.

Umpires Robinson and Barrie Leadbeater later confirmed that Warne would be reported for his show of petulance.

Shortly after lunch Mascarenhas went leg before to Arafat 10 short of a deserved century then last man Clark was superbly caught by Matthew Walker, one-handed in the deep, to end the innings 2.30pm and with a lead of 73.

Arafat closed with the flattering figures of five for 63 while Cook and McLaren bagged two apiece.

SCORECARD

Kent first innings

R W T Key lbw b Cook 0
J L Denly not out 115
M van Jaarsveld c Warne b Clark 12
M J Walker b Clark 14
D I Stevens c Brown b Mascarenhas 11
G O Jones c Burrows b Mascarenhas 0
A J Hall b Warne 1
Yasir Arafat c Burrows b Warne 7
R McLaren c Burrows b Clark 4
J C Tredwell b Warne 17
S J Cook c Warne b Tremlett 8
Extras 20

Total 199 all out after 58.9 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-1, 2-43, 3-55, 4-72, 5-74, 6-98, 7-110, 8-129, 9-182.

Bowling: Clark 14-1-48-, Mascarenhas 15-6-29-2, Tremlett 9.4-0-54-1, Ervine 6-3-14-0, Warne 14-2-42-3.

Hampshire first innings

M J Brown lbw b Arafat 0
J H K Adams c Jones b Arafat21
J P Crawley c van Jaarsveld b Cook 22
M J Lumb c Walker b Arafat 0
M A Carberry lbw b McLaren 7
S M Ervine lbw b Cook 22
A D Mascarenhas lbw b Arafat 90
T G Burrows run out 35
S K Warne lbw b McLaren 19
C T Tremlett not out 11
S R Clark c Walker b Arafat 14
Extras 37

Total 272 all out after 84.3 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-5, 2-52, 3-52, 4-52, 5-83, 6-85, 7-188, 8-224, 9-252.

Bowling: Arafat 21.3-4-63-5, Hall 15-3-49-0, Cook 19-4-56-2, McLaren 18-4-61-2, Tredwell 11-1-25-0.

Kent second innings

R W T Key not out 96
J L Denly c Mascarenhas b Clark 0
M van Jaarsveld not out 109
Extras 18

Total 223 for one after 60 overs

Fall of wicket: 1-0,

Bowling: Clark 15-3-36-1, Tremlett 17-2-45-0, Mascarenhas 6-1-36-0, Warne 9-0-45-0, Carberry 2-0-6-0, Ervine 10-1-47-0, Adams 1-0-3-0.

Bonus points: Kent 3pts, Hampshire 5pts.