KENT'S England seam bowler Martin Saggers was unable to take his place in the county side that took on Northamptonshire in Canterbury today.

The former Durham seamer enjoyed two practice bowling stints earlier this week, but is still regarded too rusty to start.

England Under-19 bowler Simon Cusden took the vacancy, while overseas bat Michael Bevan was left out on favour of Robert Key.

Kent skipper David Fulton duly won the toss and elected to bat in ideal conditions and against the division's basement side.