THE HAMPSHIRE record books were re-written by John Crawley (pictured), making his debut after his move from Lancashire in the winter.

The former England batsman did his chances of a test cricket re-call no harm as he scored 272 in Hampshire's first innings against Kent at Canterbury.

That was the highest total by a debutant for the county, the highest score by a player since the Second World War and fourth of all time for Hampshire.

However, on the opening day of the contest it was the Kent openers of Robert Key and David Fulton who caught the eye as they set a new club record against Hampshire for an opening stand of 266.

This was ended when Key was run out for 160, and then Fulton fell two short of his own century as he was caught by Chris Tremlett off the bowling of Neil Johnson.

On a good batting track the home side continued to pile on the runs before declaring on 577-7.

A couple of years ago that sort of target would have spelled disaster for Hampshire but they set about the task and reached 136-2 on the close of the second day, with Crawley not out on 56.

The third day saw Crawley and skipper Robin Smith move the total onto 178 before Smith was trapped leg-before.

That brought Zimbabwean Johnson to the crease, and he and Crawley put on 232 for the fourth wicket.

Johnson produced a superb innings, hitting 21 fours in 226 balls, but was dismissed when he edged a ball to the slips on 117.

By the close of play Crawley had moved onto 223, with another new boy Nic Pothas unbeaten on 32 and Hampshire on 490-4.

The pair put on 141 for the fifth wicket before Pothas fell two runs short of his maiden half-century for the county.

Crawley's record-breaking innings came to an end after 451 balls including 36 fours on 272 when he was run out.

Shaun Udal reached 48 before retiring hurt after being hit on the thumb, and future England star Chris Tremlett hit the only six of the innings in a useful 40, coming in at number nine.

Allan Mullally was the last man out as Hampshire took a 94-run lead, being all out for 671.

For Kent's second inning Pothas took the place of injured Adi Aymes behind the stumps, taking one catch as they reached 163-4, the game ending in a draw.

Tremlett took two wickets in that innings and that took his tally for the match to six.