Kent Vs. Lancashire LVCC day two.

Key century keeps Kent afloat.

Veteran batsman Rob Key responded with a joint high-score of 134 to keep the hosts in the match, but the Division Two leader's closed the second day with a lead of 99 with all of their second innings wickets intact.

Key was afforded two lives early-on his innings, as he was dropped twice in the space of three balls whilst on 29, and had he been removed Kent would have been on the back foot.

Lancashire added 15 runs this morning before they were bowled out for 284, with Prince failing to add any more runs to his overnight score of 134 and Parry making 20 on his return from injury.

Kent were reduced to 7-3 as Kyle Jarvis (3-72) shone on debut, but the hosts responded with a partnership worth 158 to salvage the match. Ben Harmison contributed 59 in his stand with the former Kent captain, in an afternoon session that proved to frustrate Lancashire. 

The newly promoted side responded well with Parry (3-51) and Oliver Newby (3-57) removing the Kent tail before they could take any kind of first innings lead.

Paul Horton and Luis Reece continued their ever dependable capabilities at the top of the order, with both men unbeaten in the thirties as Lancashire closed with a healthy lead.

Photos from first day at Kent.

Kent Vs. Lancashire LVCC day one.

Prince century leads Lancs at Canterbury.

An unbeaten 134 from Ashwell Prince rescued the visitors in their final match of the season, who would be struggling without the South-African's efforts, closing on 269-8.

With the departure of Australian Simon Katich, Prince became the leading overseas player for the Division Two Champions, and Prince was, virtually, in bat all day after captain Paul Horton was out to the second ball of the day, after fog had delayed play.

Prince's partnership with Karl Brown worth 71 recovered Lancashire's innings either side of lunch, with the latter falling for 42.

Prince passed two personal milestones, the first; 15,000 first-class runs, shortly followed by 1,000 runs for the season, joining Katich as only the second Lancashire player to do so this season.

Kent prospered early-on thanks to the poor visibility present at Canterbury, removing Horton and in-form Luis Reece (14).

After an early run of luck, several chances were afforded to the Lancashire batsmen, who were fortunate to escape the cosh of some impressive bowling.

Kent skipper, James Tredwell finished with 2-62, after he won the toss and inserted the visitors, and debutant Matthew Hunn claimed two wickets of his own.

Reece eager to finish season on high.

Kent Championship preview.

After falling three runs short of his first century for Lancashire, opening batsman Luis Reece is aiming to finish the 2013 season in style against Kent at Canterbury. 

"Obviously it was very disappointing, but its just part of cricket. If it was one of those balls that just gave you a hundred then they wouldn’t be special when they come round" said Reece, reflecting on the reality of being bowled by David Payne in Lancashire's draw with Gloucestershire, which confirmed their return to the first division as champions.

In spite of his own form, which now consists of eight fifties in nine innings, Reece is focused on his role in the team and insists that "Personal performance aside it's good to get back in to the first division.

It's been a pretty good season all-round to be fair, I’ve been lucky to carry good form all the way through the year, I’ve worked really hard and its been good to contribute in a winning side."

Reece is also hoping for a momentous maiden hundred; "Hopefully now I can take this into next year and even next week and score a hundred when it matters. You’d rather score your first hundred when it means something and it helps your side to a win rather than this game, where it wasn’t really going anywhere and scoring a little cheap hundred at the end."

The talented opening batsman has gone from strength to strength alongside Paul Horton at the top of the order, contributing in four hundred-run partnerships. It's been really good playing with Ashwell, Katich and Horts at the top, they’ve helped me leaps and bounds, it's been good fun. It's hard work but that’s first-class cricket for you.

Now that the Red Rose outfit are back in the first division, Reece is also looking forward to the challenges ahead. "I’ve seen the quality first hand, the boys work hard they put the hours in, they get pushed by Moorsey and you’ve got Chris and Phil, the back-room staff that do wonders behind the scenes."

"The boys have worked really hard through the winter and it’s shown on the field this year.

We’ve got a great leader in Chappy he’s still bowling some of his best stuff so you never know where we will finish next year."

Lancashire team: Paul Horton (c), Andrea Agathangelou, Karl Brown, Jordan Clark, Alex Davies, Kyle Jarvis, Simon Kerrigan, Oliver Newby, Stephen Parry, Ashwell Prince, Luke Procter, Luis Reece, Tom Smith.