Van Jaarsveld and Key bat Kent to parity with unbeaten hundreds in Derby

Derbyshire v Kent LV County Championship Division 2, Day four, Derby.
By Mark Pennell
KENT batted their way to a deserved draw in Derbyshire where the visitors flourished in their second innings to wipe of the 302-run deficit by reaching 333 for two when the sides shook hands on a draw at 4pm.
Visiting skipper Rob Key led the rearguard action with an unbeaten 141, while his right-hand man, vice skipper Martin van Jaarsveld, kept him company with a solid 101 not out as the pair added an unbroken stand of 194 in46 overs either side of tea to thwart Derbyshire“s victory chances.
Key posted his second ton of the summer against Derbyshire and his fourth in all from 169 balls and with 10 fours having been given one life when on 77 when skipper Chris Rogers downed a tough, low chance at slip off spinner Greg Smith.
At the other end van Jaarsveld cantered to his sixth ton of the summer from 152 balls and with nine fours and a six as Kent collected seven points for the draw to maintain a 26 point lead at the top of Division 2.
With only two sides to go up, it is perhaps more crucial that Key“s men remain 27 ahead of third-placed Gloucestershire with a game in hand.
Kent“s only casualty of the day came after 42 overs, the 28th of the day when Geraint Jones fell for a stylish, counter-attacking 60 from 126 balls for his part in a second wicket stand of 133 in 39 overs.
The former England gloveman reached a fine 50 with a straight six off Graham Wagg as he had done in the first innings on his way to a century.
This time Jones posted his 50 from 96 balls, 42 runs came in boundaries, the rest made up from nine singles as he and Key looked in little or no trouble.
The introduction of part-time spinner Smith made the difference, however, as he got one to bounce and take the top of the bat for Wayne Madsen to take a smart catch at short leg and make it 139 for two.
Photo by ARPics