Rob Key catches eye of selectors before narrowly missing out on ton

10 April 2012

Rob Key fell agonisingly short of a century at Northampton today and missed out on a chance to put his name up in bright lights ahead of next week's final Ashes Test.

England candidate Key played beautifully to reach 90 in front of watching selector James Whitaker but then appeared to lose concentration and was dismissed by former South Africa all-rounder Andrew Hall.

Moving forward to drive the medium pacer, Key was pinned plum lbw and departed with an angry swish of the bat.

The Kent captain was furious with himself because he knew a big hundred was there for the taking.

And, well though he batted during a three-hour innings that included 12 fours plus a sweetly-driven six off spinner Monty Panesar, today's knock does not quite demand his inclusion in the squad to face Australia.

Even so, given England's pitiful batting a few days ago, Key would be many people's choice to bat at No3 at the Brit Oval on Thursday week and he certainly looked the part - albeit against Second Division Championship bowling.

The 30-year-old played the last of his 15 Tests more than four years ago but was on course for a fourth hundred in seven innings for Kent until Hall, who has mainly been bowling outswingers, fooled him with a straight one.

Key struggled for the first few weeks of this season but he looked like a man on a mission from the start today.

Panesar, whose batting helped England to save the First Test at Cardiff, should make the squad for the Oval.

Today, however, Key stroked his second delivery for an effortless six.

Key went on to reach 50 from 74 deliveries and by mid-afternoon Kent were 196 for five.

But there was frustration elsewhere for England as Essex's decision to field against Middlesex at Lord's meant struggling Ravi Bopara had to wait for his chance to try and find some form.

Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott - two other candidates for the No3 slot - were also fielding today for Warwickshire against Nottinghamshire.

England spinner Graeme Swann was forced to miss that match at Trent Bridge due to a stomach upset.

The 30-year-old hit 62 in the crushing defeat in the Fourth Test at Headingley but was cleared for county duty after sending down only 16 overs in the match.

The complaint, however, is thought to be a minor one.

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