LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Canterbury:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Warwickshire 250, Kent 374-9
Kent 3pts, Warwicks 2pts
Match scorecard

Clarke has made two Test match appearances for England

Rikki Clarke's first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket could not prevent Kent taking control on day two.

The Warwickshire all-rounder finished with 5-60 but in improving conditions Kent moved into a 124-run lead.

England one-day opener Joe Denley led their response, batting for four hours before falling just five runs short of his first century of the season.

Matt Coles posted a career-best 41 to assist Denley and set Kent on their way to 374-9 at the close.

Their 89-run partnership underpinned the home side's progress as they overhauled Warwickshire's first-innings total.

Coles eventually fell softly to Clarke - steering a leg-side glance to Tim Ambrose.

Clarke's next also had an element of good fortune about it as Geraint Jones went after a wide delivery only to sky it to Chris Woakes at third man.

Martin van Jaarsveld provided more convincing support for Denley before the opener edged Darren Maddy to Clarke at slip.

Van Jaarsveld was out 10 overs later, courtesy of an inside edge which Jonathan Trott collected off the bowling of Imran Tahir.

But any hopes Warwickshire had of making major inroads into Kent's middle order were thwarted by an 85-run partnership between Darren Stevens and Sam Northeast (40).

Clarke eventually accounted for Northeast and James Hockley but at the close Stevens was still there on 57.

Kent opener Joe Denly told BBC Radio Kent:
"It's nice to spend some time at the wicket. I've been guilty in the first few games of getting some starts and not going on so it was nice to get some runs but a bit disappointing not to get to three figures.

"We've got just over a hundred lead so if we can get to around 400 and get that other point, and if Ntini can stick around and help Darren (Stevens) out that would be great.

"I think the new ball will be key, taking early wickets - that's when it's at it's most challenging but it showed there is always a bit in it for the bowlers...and I think all four of our seam bowlers will play a big part."

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