LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Chelmsford:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Kent 474 Essex 172-4
Essex 3pts, Kent 5pts
Match scorecard

Stevens' century came off 148 balls and included two sixes.

England opener Alastair Cook's poor form continued when the Essex batsman was bowled first ball by Makhaya Ntini.

It was an ideal start for Kent as the Essex batsmen began their reply to the home team's mammoth first innings 474.

Jaik Mickleburgh also went early but Essex ended day two on 172-4, with the impressive Tom Westley unbeaten on 84.

Earlier, Kent's Darren Stevens took his overnight score from 57 to 100 and Azhar Mahmood hit 64 as the home side piled on the runs at Chelmsford.

Cook pushed forward against Ntini and edged an easy catch to wicketkeeper James Hockley, who was deputising behind the stumps for the unwell Geraint Jones. Cook has gathered just 155 runs in his seven championship innings for an average of just over 22.

Mahmood removed Mickleburgh while Simon Cook had Mark Pettini neatly taken at second slip by Martin van Jaarsveld to leave Essex on 114-4.

But that was to be the last of Kent's successes as James Foster stayed with Westley until the close, which came with Essex still needing a further 153 to avoid the follow on.

Stevens and Mahmood had added 134 for Kent's seventh wicket before Mahmood was bowled by Ryan ten Doeschate.

Stevens completed his century from 147 deliveries but departed next ball when he swung at leg spinner Danish Kaneria and skied a simple catch to Tim Phillips in the gully. His effort contained 11 fours and two sixes.

Ten Doeschate finished with 4-77, while Kaneria's two wickets came at a cost of 124 from 33 overs in his first appearance of the season.

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