Cameron Green hit a century on his Gloucestershire debut as the visitors posted 365 for seven on day one of their Rothesay County Championship game with Kent at Canterbury.

Fellow centurion James Bracey made 109 not out and put on 167 with the Australian international, who had to retire not out on exactly 100 with suspected cramp.

Nathan Gilchrist kept Kent in it with five for 61 but the hosts were hindered by an indifferent display in the field and an injury to Grant Stewart.

After winning the toss Kent stuck with the formula that helped them win their two opening games by choosing to bowl, but they failed to capitalise on a promising start having reduced Gloucestershire to 15 for two.

Gilchrist got Cameron Bancroft for just two, lbw trying to play across his pads, but Ollie Price was on one when he edged Grant Stewart. Keeper Harry Finch pulled out of the catch expecting it to carry to first slip and it fell short.

Ben Charlesworth went in the next over, lbw to Gilchrist, but Kent’s already cursed bowling unit then suffered another blow when Stewart pulled up injured midway through the 14th over and had to be replaced by Jas Singh (Kashif Ali also seemed to be struggling when he went off during the evening session, although he did return before stumps.)

Singh had Ollie Price lbw for 18 in his next over, to a ball that looked like it might be going down, but Green and Mike Hammond rebuilt the innings and it was 96 for three at lunch.

Hammond looked poised for his half-century, only for Singh to rip out his off stump for 48, but that was the highpoint of an otherwise saggy afternoon session for the hosts. Green never looked troubled and he pushed Jack Leaning for a single to mid-off to reach his 50.

It was 225 for four at tea, after which the visitors continued to dominate, although they were given another life when Bracey was on 67. He edged Leaning to first slip but Daniel Bell-Drummond put down a regulation chance.

By the time Green reached the late 90s he seemed to be suffering from cramp and was visibly struggling to take singles. When he drove Joey Evison for one he made it to the bowler’s end before collapsing to the ground and retiring.

Gilchrist was the only bowler who really looked like taking a wicket and he dragged Kent back into it late in the evening session. He got Graeme van Buuren lbw for 19 with the new ball and Tom Price leg before for eight with a full toss that hit him on the shin.

Matt Taylor made eight when he gloved a short-pitched delivery to Finch, but Josh Shaw made it to stumps on 18 not out and with Green available to return if needed, Gloucestershire could yet bat deep into day two.

Gloucestershire’s Cameron Green said: “If we’d offered that at the start of the day we’d have taken it’s quite a green wicket out there. I thought it did quite a bit early and credit to the guys to push through to that score. It was a good first day.

“I think it (the ball) was doing a fair amount throughout. I think a ball had our name on it the whole time, but two guys got in and tried to stay in as long as you could and I think Hammo and Brace both put the pressure back on them with scoring pretty quickly as soon as they came out, so credit to those guys, they batted beautifully.”

(On becoming the tenth Gloucestershire player to score a first-class century in his first innings).

“One hundred percent I’m proud. It’s been eight long months on the sidelines so to get back out here was very special and it’s always a good way to start your tenure.”

(Did English conditions take a lot of getting used to?)

“It definitely did but I’ve had really good practice this week. All the Gloucester coaches have been unreal, they gave me the best prep they could have. There was a bit of Dukes ball work back in WA but I think it was a really good training block and it’s always nice to spend some time out in the middle.

“Both Hammo and Brace being two-left handers, they’re the only two I’ve batted with today and I think when you rotate the strike with guys who are right and left-handed it’s pretty crucial and that definitely went a long way to helping us have a good day but also Brace batted beautifully. A few balls passed his bat but he was able to forget about that pretty quickly and focus on the next ball.”

(Can he play tomorrow?)

“Yeah, definitely. I think I needed a good night’s sleep and a bit of food and I’ll be all good for tomorrow.”

Kent’s Nathan Gilchrist said: “It’s definitely not disappointment, I think the wicket’s not as bowler-friendly as it was last week, I think the ball was still moving around a little bit but it was much harder work today so it gives us confidence because we know with our batting line-up we can get ahead of them tomorrow.

“So I think everyone was proud of the effort we put in today, it was definitely tough at times so we’re happy at the end of the day.

“He (Green) is obviously a class player as you saw today and he played really well throughout the whole day. I felt like I bowled really well to him and he played me pretty well as well. It’s always nice playing against international players and I think it was his first game for Gloucester today so he started off on the right foot but it’s always nice to challenge yourself against the best players in the world, I thought I bowled pretty well at him today.

“There’s been a few things I’ve been working on over the winter – getting my body in the right place for the start of the season but I think it’s more the mindset and the approach for the start of the season, just having a bit more of a balanced lifestyle and enjoying things outside of the game, which gives perspective, which is the biggest thing.

“I’m just trying to enjoy every game and not put too much pressure on myself. Me being a taller lad I try and get the ball up there, so the ball’s going to be able to move around and that’s one thing I pride myself on, trying to get the stumps in play as much as possible. I think I had four lbws today so it’s pleasing. When the wickets are a little more bowler friendly you need the ball to be close to the stumps.”

Picture supplied by Frank Godfrey.