Cox hits lightning century as Essex dominates Kent

Vitality County Championship Division One, Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford ( third day)Essex 530-7 December and 257-4: Cox 116*; Agar 2-47Kent 413: Compton 165, Bell-Drummond 135; Critchley 5-105Essex (7 pts) leads Kent (4 pts) by 374 points Match scorecard

The 23-year-old right-hander reached his first triple-digit score for his new county with a powerful six over square leg, one of six in an unbeaten 116 as Essex raced to 257-4 in 40 overs and a lead of 374.

Earlier, Ben Compton weighed anchor for more than eight and a half hours to help Kent avoid pursuit. The stubborn southpaw was last out for 165, his highest score for Kent.

That l That Essex may have come so close to asking Kent straight back was down to an inspired spell from all-rounder Matt Critchley, who followed up his career-high of 151 with 5-105.

Daniel Bell-Drummond added just one single to his 134 overnight before going into weight with Jamie Porter. He and Compton put on 224 for the second wicket.

The new ball quickly accounted for Jack Leaning in the next Porter match. before Shane Snater removed Joe Denly's leg stump.

It was then on to Critchley as 'Harry Finch was heading poorly towards mid-on, Jaydn Denly flicked one through the hands of short leg and Wes Agar was at heavyweight.

Nathan Gilchrist pulled Critchley and Simon Harmer for six as he contributed 41 to an 88-run stand with Compton.

Critchley removed him and Matt Parkinson for his five-wicket haul and Compton, 100 not out at the start of play, was denied the honor of carrying his bat when he was knocked around his legs while trying to sweep Harmer.

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