Former star Arafat thwarts Sussex

County Championship D1, Canterbury, day one (close) : Kent 368 v Sussex 19-2

Scorecard

Arafat was a key part of Sussex's Championship success last season

Yasir Arafat thwarted his former Sussex colleagues with a fluent 122 and struck twice with the ball as the champions closed 349 behind Kent at 19-2.

The Pakistan all-rounder averaged 43 with the bat and took 41 wickets in eight Championship matches for Sussex last season, played a vital innings.

Kent chose to bat first at Canterbury but were soon reduced to 66-4.

Matthew Walker notched a century and shared 148 with Arafat, who struck 17 fours and a six and claimed 2-6.

After Rana Naved secured his 100th Championship wicket for Sussex, Robin Martin-Jenkins struck in his first over, uprooting Martin van Jaarsveld's middle stump.

Geraint Jones showed glimpses of the fluency that has eluded him in recent times, taking 14 in an over from James Kirtley, including a six over cover.

Arafat smashed spinner Mushtaq Ahmed for two fours and a six in an over and recorded his second first-class century by driving his compatriot for his 15th four.

Walker had moved to 80 with an assured cover drive off Martin-Jenkins when he top-edged a pull, but Chris Nash spilled the chance running back from mid-wicket.

An hour into the final session he was dismissed by Mushtaq, the spinner's only wicket in a rare off day, two balls after completing his 23rd century.

Arafat was the penultimate wicket to fall, attempting to leave a ball from Martin-Jenkins but edging to second slip, with Martin-Jenkins finishing with commendable figures of 5-67.

Sussex then lost reliable opener Richard Montgomerie, who edged Arafat to first slip for a duck.

Nightwatchman Kirtley then had his middle and off stumps dislodged by the athletic all-rounder.