Northamptonshire’s bowlers were forced to work hard in the sun as Kent worked their way to 325/4 at stumps on Day 1.
66 from Ben Compton, Daniel Bell-Drummond unbeaten also on 66 and 58 from Tawanda Muyeye guided the hosts to a solid total at the end of play.
Liam Guthrie took 2 for 54 but it was a gruelling day in the heat for the visitors, who used seven different bowlers after losing the toss and being asked to field.
The 173rd Canterbury Festival continued with an immaculate minute’s silence for Wayne Larkins before the start of play and both sides wore black armbands in honour of the former Northamptonshire and England opener, who passed away yesterday at the age of 71.
Kent chose to bat in already sweltering heat, with Jaydn Denly driving a regal six through point early on, but his stylish innings came to an end when Guthrie had him caught by Justin Broad at gully for 35 off 36 balls.
It was 110 for one at lunch, at which point Compton was awarded his county cap by the former England seamer and incoming Kent president Richard Ellison at a ceremony in front of the pavilion.
His partner, Ekansh Singh, was playing only his second first-class game, but he looked as assured as Denly had, only to fall a run shy of his 50 when Dom Leech had him caught behind.
Compton did pass 50 in Leech’s next over, carving a no ball through point for four, but he nicked Broad behind, leaving Kent on 207 for three at tea and the hosts chose this moment to announce that he’d also agreed a new deal that will keep him at the Spitfire Ground until the end of the 2028 season, ending speculation he was moving to Essex.
Muyeye then reached 50 with an elegant flick of the wrist for a single off Calvin Harrison but Guthrie got him lbw with the new ball.
Bell-Drummond became the third Kent player to make a half-century when he hit Guthrie for four through cover and he was joined by Joey Evision, who had reached 29 not out by stumps.