Mark Ramprakash was quick to make his mark for his new county, hitting an unbeaten half-century from sixty balls. Until then Surrey had not made a particularly impressive start to the defence of their championship title with Kent having the better of the first two days play on a fine batting pitch.

Ramprakash's stylish strokeplay on his debut for Surrey brought him six boundaries, three in succession off Martin Saggers and a straight six hit earlier. At stumps, he had taken Surrey to 86 for one. Mark Butcher had fallen lbw to the fourth ball of the innings without scoring.

Kent had declared their innings half-an-hour after tea on 456 for eight, their highest score for two years. It contained three fine centuries, the last of which came from Matthew Walker who reached his first championship hundred for Kent in five years. Not since his 275 - his highest first-class score - against Somerset, had he played a three figure innings. He was well assisted by James Hockley in a 63-partnership for the sixth wicket.

Kent had lost two wickets within an hour into the second session's play to be 316 for five. Earlier three wickets had fallen in the morning session within 55 runs. Robert Key was the first to be dismissed, having added thirteen to his overnight score of 88. He played on to Ed Giddins, the most impressive of the Surrey bowlers. It was his first century since 1999 and his innings spanned 247 minutes during which time he faced 199 balls, hitting 15 boundaries and a six.

Half-an-hour before lunch, David Fulton, the other centurion, having faced 238 balls for his 111, was caught at square leg from a pull shot off Ben Hollioake.

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