Skipper Rob Key led from the front hitting a majestic 97 as Kent posted 345 for 5 on the opening day of the County Championship season.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first at a sunny Headingley that had been covered in snow just twenty four hours earlier, Kent gave debuts to on loan opener Scott Newman, batsmen Ben Harmison, Brendan Nash and Mike Powell with bowlers Charlie Shreck and Mark Davies making up the new boys in the side.

Newman and Key put on a 141 run opening stand that laid the platform for a great day for Kent with both players chalking up their fifties before the lunch interval.

The on loan Middlesex batsman was the first to go for a well constructed 64 with Key going on to fall just three runs short of a century as he was run out looking to edge closer to his ton.

Harmison came in at three and looked to take the attack to the Yorkshire bowlers, picking up where he left off after last weeks 130 not out against Glamorgan.

The former Durham batsman was happy to hit the bigger strokes and smashed the first six of the season before falling for 45.

Overseas signing Brendan Nash picked up where Harmison left off hitting nine boundaries in his 67 off just 98 balls.

Meanwhile, another batsman making his Championship debut for Kent, Mike Powell, was content to knock the ball around for his 37, falling just before the close of play leaving Darren Stevens 22 not out and Adam Riley coming in as nightwatchman.

With Geraint Jones and Matt Coles the next two in, Kent will be hoping to compile a big score against the hosts in what is looking to be a great start to the season.

Yorkshire side: Sayers, Root, McGrath, Gale, Bairstow, Ballance, Rashid, Pyrah, Shahzad, Sidebottom, Wardlaw.

Kent side: Key, Newman, Harmison, Nash, Powell, Stevens, Jones, Coles, Shreck, Davies, Riley.

Umpires: MA Eggleston and NA Mallender.

Close of play day one: Kent 345 for 5.