An unbeaten double century partnership from centurions Darren Stevens and Brendan Nash has put Kent in command against Glamorgan at Canterbury.

The pair came together with the side in trouble at 110 for 4 after James Harris took two wickets in two balls, but Stevens survived the hat-trick ball and went on to help Nash put the side in charge at the St Lawrence Ground after the first day’s play.

Closing on 310 for 4, Stevens ended the day unbeaten on 120 (off just 142 balls with 21 fours) whilst Nash closed on 110 not out (190 balls with 15 boundaries) with Stevens bringing up 10,000 career first class runs and Nash reached his milestone of 5,000 career first class runs.

It was literally a day of two halves at Canterbury after Kent skipper had won the toss and elected to bat first.

Runs came off the bat at a pace in the first three overs as Key and Sam Northeast look to get the home side off to a fast start, but Key lasted just 24 balls before he became James Harris’ first victim of the day, nicking behind to Mark Wallace.

Ben Harmison came and went in the same fashion, going for just twelve, leaving the side in trouble at 49 for 2.

Some repair work between Northeast and Nash took the side to 98 for 2 at the lunch interval with the ground staff covering the pitch as the clouds loomed large overhead.

Their foresight proved to be inspired as the heavens opened and the outfield became saturated.

The umpires inspected at 2:45pm and play resumed 25 minutes later with Northeast 47 not out and Nash unbeaten on 23.

Not long after Northeast had brought up his second half century in a week, he was trapped lbw by Harris for 52 and the very next ball Mike Powell had the indignity of recording a golden duck as he edged Harris behind to Wallace.

They may well be mates off the field, but Powell may well take both Harris and Wallace of his christmas card list.

At 110 for 4 and Kent deep in trouble with Harris having picked up all four wickets, Stevens brought stability to proceedings, but was keen to get the score ticking along.

The first milestone of the day came when Stevens picked up his 19th run, bringing up 10,000 for his career with Nash going on to record a well constructed fifty.

He in the process of brining up his half century had made it to 5,000 career first class runs as the pair looked to dominate the bowling.

As the sun began to shine, Stevens brought up his half century shortly after tea off just 42 balls, playing some elegant, if not brutal strokes.

The hundred partnership followed not long after as Glamorgan’s bowlers looked to find that illusive wicket without success.

It was Nash that brought up his century first, off 158 balls including 14 fours with Stevens following suit shortly after off just 125 balls including 18 fours.

There was still time left in the day for the pair to bring up the double century partnership as they took Kent from a position of vulnerability to one of complete control.

Friday may well turn out to be a harder day for Kent, but based on Thursday’s performance, they have gone a long way to maintaining their unbeaten run in the County Championship.

Kent won the toss and elected to bat.

Kent side: Key, Northeast, Harmison, Nash, Powell, Stevens, Jones, Tredwell, Coles, Davies, Shreck.

Glamorgan side: Rees, Bragg, Walters, North, Wright, Allenby, Wallace, Harris, Glover, Cosker, Waters.

Umpires: S Gale & D Millns

Close of play day one: Kent 310 for 4.

Pictures by Sarah Ansell. To see more of Sarah’s pictures visit www.sarahcanterbury.com