COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, The Swalec Stadium:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Glamorgan 317, Kent 444-4 (Glamorgan 4pts, Kent 8pts)
15 - 18 July 2009

Key's previous highest score for Kent was 199 against Surrey

Captain Robert Key hit his maiden Championship double century to guide Kent into a first-innings lead over Glamorgan at the Swalec Stadium.

The visitors resumed day three on 52-1, with Key moving from an unbeaten 27 overnight to reach stumps on 202, with his side on 444-4, a lead of 127.

Key also shared century stands with Geraint Jones, Martin van Jaarsveld and Justin Kemp as Kent moved in front.

But with only one day left, a draw still seems the most likely outcome.

Kent will need to score quickly on the final morning to stand any chance of mounting a late bid for victory, but they seem the only side now capable of clinching an unlikely win.

That they have any hope at all had much to do with Key's second successive Championship century, following his 123 against Surrey last week.

And in passing 200 for the first time for his county just before the close he moved within sight of his best-ever score - the 221 he hit for England against the West Indies in 2004.

After only 20.1 overs were possible on day two, Kent certainly made up for lost time despite two more rain delays during the course of the day.

Key and Jones led them to 119-1 at lunch, but were parted in the second over after the interval when Jones was caught behind off Garnett Kruger for 68 following a stand of 115.

But that breakthrough heralded more gloom for Glamorgan, who saw the Kent skipper reach his hundred in adding 180 with Martin van Jaarsveld, before the South African fell to Robert Croft four short of his own century.

And although James Harris then removed Darren Stevens, Key and Justin Kemp (53 not out) put on an unbroken 102 for the fifth wicket before the close, with Key passing 200 in the final over of the day.

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