KENT made two changes to the side that lost to Sussex last week and elected to bat first on day one of their championship match with Warwickhire in Birmingham today.

Skipper Rob Key bought in Joe Denly to open the batting instead of David Fulton, while Min Patel returned after back problems to replace Tyron Henderson who has returned home after breaking his foot.

On an overcast morning in the second city Key, with a patched up seam attack, had little option but to bat first, in the belief that runs on the board will prove important on an Edgbaston pitch that is expected to quickly deteriorate.

There was no place in the starting line up for young Beckenham seamer Alex Blake, but he will remain with the squad as 12th man.

Kent: Denly, Key, van Jaarsveld, Walker, Stevens, Jones, Dexter, Tredwell, Cook, Patel, Joseph.