KENT batsman Rob Key says helping to steer England to their seven-wicket npower Test win over the West Indies was the best moment of his cricketing career to date.

The 25-year-old right-hander from Beckenham scored an unbeaten 93 to see England over the line in Manchester to a series’ winning third Test victory over Brian Lara’s side.

Key featured in stands worth 84 with England skipper Michael Vaughan and a match-clinching, unbroken 120 with his friend and former academy colleague Andrew Flintoff.

Though Key missed out on his second Test century by just seven runs, he was delighted with his day’s work at Old Trafford.

“Their opening bowlers did really well and it was doing a fair bit at the start there and I had a bit of luck not to nick a couple,” said Key.

“But the way this game’s gone I knew if I could hang in there the ball would lose its shine and get softer and it would be easier to bat.

“Michael Vaughan was brilliant in getting me through it early on and we (Key and Flintoff) can take a lot of credit for getting home without him.”

The innings also catapulted Key to the top of England’s batting averages with the top aggregate and average in the squad.

From his three starts Key has reaped 368 runs at an average of 73.6, figures that ink his name onto the team-sheet for Thursday’s final Test at The Oval.

England will look to complete a series whitewash in Kennington, but for Key at least, winning in Manchester will take some beating.

“Without sounding too sickly, the biggest thing for me was finishing the job off with Freddy,” said Key.

“To achieve that with someone I’ve known for a long time was the best feeling I’ve had so far in the game, better than the double hundred at Lord’s by a long way.

“To walk off here with Freddy, with England winning a game on the last day and on a tricky pitch was special.”

The triumph is a double edged-sword in Kent terms, however, as Key and his club colleague Geraint Jones will now miss the county's next championship match against Surrey in Canterbury starting tomorrow (Wednesday).