Nasser Hussain's first meaningful score in any form of cricket this summer was a big one - 192 not out against a Kent attack including Pakistani international Mohammad Sami but minus the injured Martin Saggers.

Essex's target at the start of the day - to overhaul Kent's decent score and end up with wickets in hand was realised in no uncertain terms.

Hussain put on 114 for the first wicket with Darren Robinson (47), scoring quickly as he hit a number of boundaries off Sami.

He was more watchful later on, but enjoyed the support of James Foster (44) and Aftab Habib (77) as Essex made hay in the sun.

Alamgir Sheriyar ended up with three wickets by the end of the day, and his haul included Ronnie Irani for a duck.

Off-spinner Jamie Middlebrook, who blazed 23 not out late in the day, could be the key man on Sunday as Essex look to create pressure in the hope of forcing a win.

Essex: D D J Robinson, N Hussain, A Flower, A Habib, R C Irani (Capt), J S Foster (Wkt), J D Middlebrook, G R Napier, J E Bishop, S A Brant, J B Grant.