Joe Denly made his first century of the season but four wickets after tea left the opening day between Northamptonshire and Kent quite even with the visitors closing 300 for 7 after winning the toss.

Denly’s only innings of note in the opening three matches was a half-century against Glamorgan but here he looked assured, drove the ball smartly, and went through to three figures in 207 balls with 12 fours.

He might have departed for 26 had Monty Panesar – on his comeback for Northants – claimed a sharp caught and bowled chance; one of three missed chances for the hosts in the morning session.

But Denly took advantage and having resumed 92 not out after tea, drove Panesar for four in the second over after the break and was soon celebrating a third Championship century back in Kent colours, having rejoined at the start of last season. He closed 126 not out.

Panesar is also back at the county where his career began but his return was for the most of the day less noteworthy, wheeling away for 31 overs on a docile wicket, but he did claim two wickets – a second caught and bowled opportunity, this time offered from Sam Northeast on 49, that he took low down by his left boot and, having returned four overs from the close, had the left-handed Calum Hagget caught behind. It was a fair return, seven years on from his last appearance for Northants.

Northeast’s wicket was the first of several fairly tame dismissals that saw Kent not take full advantage of their strong position. At 202 for 2 they were in control of the day but after Northeast departed, no other partnership breached 30.

Sean Dickson tried to lift Rob Keogh – also making his seasonal return – down the ground, only for Alex Wakely to leap to his right from mid-off and claim a stunning one-handed catch. The celebration was surely learned from Shahid Afridi in his time at Wanatge Road last season.

Darren Stevens fell in the first over of the second new ball, clipping Kleinveldt straight to square leg. Adam Rouse fell in similar fashion looking to clip Kleinveldt through the leg side, only to get a looping leading edge to cover giving Wakely a much easier catch.

Northants should have been in a much better position earlier in the day. Panesar’s miss of Denly was the second of the three morning chances to go down. Richard Levi twice spilled Daniel Bell-Drummond in the slips, first on 9 and then on 26. But Bell-Drummond couldn’t take full advantage as Northants finally did hold a catch after lunch with Rory Kleinveldt taking Bell-Drummond for 47 at first slip. But it followed a stand of 85 for the second wicket as Kent made a solid start.

Speaking at the end of the day, Northamptonshire and former England spinner Monty Panesar said:

“I’ve really enjoyed my first day back. It was nice to get a good workload in. I was nervy first thing but I got some rhythm going.”

“The first chance came at me harder than expected but the second chance was one of my best catches.”

Meanwhile, unbeaten centurion Joe Denly said: “It was a tough wicket, pretty low and it was hard with plenty of men in front of the wicket.”

“They bowled well as a unit and it was disappointing to lose those late wickets. It’s always nice to get the first hundred under your belt but I’ve felt in good touch throughout the season.”

Kent won the toss and elected to bat.

Northamptonshire side: JD Libby, BM Duckett, AG Wakely*, JJ Cobb, RE Levi, AM Rossington†, RI Keogh, RK Kleinveldt, OP Stone, Azharullah, MS Panesar.

Kent side: DJ Bell-Drummond, TWM Latham, JL Denly, SA Northeast*, SR Dickson, DI Stevens, AP Rouse, CJ Haggett, ME Claydon, MD Hunn, Imran Qayyum.

Umpires – ID Blackwell and JW Lloyds

Close of play day one: Kent 300/7 (Denly 126*, Northeast 49; Kleinveldt 2/46)

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