Kent captain Robert Key boosted his chances of an England recall with a superb 90 but it could not prevent Northamptonshire having the better of the first day at Wantage Road.

Key, who has been in fine form in recent weeks to crank up the pressure on Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell, was the only visiting batsman to get to grips with the home attack as Kent were dismissed for a below par total of 244.

Northants lost Stephen Peters before the close but they will fancy their chances of racking up a substantial first innings lead on a decent batting surface on day two.

After winning the toss and electing to bat Kent made a steady start with Key and Joe Denly both finding the boundary with ease as Johan van der Wath and David Lucas struggled for line and length.

But just as Denly (15) looked set for a prolonged stay at the crease he departed with a loose shot outside his off stump at Lucas and Rob White held on at second slip.

That did not keep Key in his shell though and he greeted Monty Panesar's introduction into the attack with contempt - despatching his second ball over long-off to bring up his side's 50 in the 17th over.

Lucas then took centre stage in the field as former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones clipped David Wigley into Lucas' hands.

Key brought up his half-century from 74 balls with a superb cut off opposite number Nicky Boje.

He had been joined at the crease by former home favourite Martin van Jaarsveld, but soon after Key brought up the Kent century with another boundary off Panesar, the ex-Northants favourite fell for 19.

Van Jaarsveld's powerful drive at Panesar hit the back of Stephen Peters' leg at silly mid-off and spun upwards for Alex Wakely to take a stunning catch at extra cover.

Key continued to dominate the attack after lunch and added a brisk 70 with youngster Sam Northeast before the England hopeful fell, ten short of a deserved century, leg before to Andrew Hall.

Kent then lost their remaining six wickets for just 74 runs - only Darren Stevens (20) and Northeast (35) putting up any resistance.

Northants' reply started with Peters getting caught by Jones off the bowling of Simon Cook for 8 but that was the last wicket to fall on the day, Northants closing on 38-1.