Essex Dominate Kent with Cox Double Century

Essex dominated day two of their Vitality Championship match against Kent, declaring on a mammoth 591 for 7 before reducing the hosts to 118 for 4.

Jordan Cox, returning to Canterbury for the first time since leaving Kent, starred with a double century (207). Shane Snater (83*) and Michael Pepper (82) also contributed significantly.

Kent's hopes of a comeback were dashed by Matt Critchley's 2 for 19, including the crucial wicket of Ben Compton (41). Joe Denly (4*) and nightwatchman Matt Parkinson (10*) held on at stumps, but the hosts still trail by 473 runs.

Essex resumed on 287 for 4 overnight, and Cox quickly reached his century with a cover-driven four off Parkinson. Kent briefly rallied with the wickets of Pepper and Simon Harmer, but Snater joined Cox for a 163-run partnership that took Essex to 449 for 6 at lunch.

Cox continued his onslaught, reaching 150 with a single off Bhuiyan and then hitting successive sixes off the same bowler. Snater also reached his half-century, and the pair set a new Essex seventh-wicket partnership record against Kent (153).

When Cox was finally dismissed by Marcus O'Riordan, Essex declared immediately. Zak Crawley and Daniel Bell-Drummond fell cheaply for Kent, while O'Riordan was lbw to Critchley. Compton was also unlucky to be given out lbw, leaving Parkinson to come in as the nightwatchman.

Tags: #VitalityChampionship, #Essex, #Kent, #JordanCox, #DoubleCentury