Kent regained the initiative in their game against Hampshire thanks to an unbroken stand of 223 from Rob Key and Martin van Jaarsveld in Canterbury.

Dimi Mascarenhas hit 90 and helped the visitors extend their overnight score from 124-6 to 272 - a lead of 73.

Yasir Arafat ended with 5-63 but his side soon lost first-innings centurion Joe Denly for a fourth-ball duck.

However, Key (96no) and van Jaarsveld (109no) batted patiently to take Kent 150 ahead and into a strong position.

None of the visitors' seven bowlers made an impression on either batsmen as they scored freely, although both slowed down as they neared three figures.

Earlier, Mascarenhas and Tom Burrows brought the 150 up before the latter slipped in mid-pitch after hesitation from both batsmen and was run out.

But he had done enough in helping to hold the innings together having occupied the crease for two and a quarter hours in their 103-run stand.

Mascarenhas had progressed to 70 and continued with his entertaining strokes until the new ball was taken as soon as it became due.