Essex 530 for 7 dec and 254 for 7 (Cox 116*) lead Kent 413 (Compton 165, Bell-Drummond 135, Critchley 5-105) by 374 runs
Cox, 23, reached his first three-figure rating for his new county with a mighty six over sq. leg, considered one of six sixes in an unbeaten 116 as Essex raced to 257 for 4 and a lead of 374 in 40 over in a prolonged night session. The quick accumulation of runs was mandatory with rain and excessive winds forecast for the ultimate day.
Wickets had been scarce on day two, however issues had been quickly again to regular. Daniel Bell-Drummond had added only a single to his in a single day rating when he was late on a straight one from Jamie Porter. He had been within the center for 73 overs with Compton whereas placing on 224 for the second wicket.
It was the breakthrough Essex wanted after ready so lengthy. That they had taken the brand new ball firstly of the day and it shortly accounted for Jack Leaning in Porter’s subsequent over, lbw to 1 that jagged in, earlier than Shane Snater eliminated Joe Denly’s leg stump to assert his one hundredth first-class wicket.
It was then over to Critchley, who flipped from finish to finish, taking wickets at each. Harry Finch misdrove to a stooping mid-off to the primary ball of a quick spell from the river finish, Jaydn Denly lunged extravagantly to loop a ball from the alternative finish into quick leg’s palms and Wes Agar toppled ahead to fall lbw as Critchley reverted to his authentic place to begin.
Nevertheless, that solely introduced in Nathan Gilchrist who pulled Critchley and Simon Harmer for sixes as he contributed 33 in the direction of the primary fifty of a 88-run stand with the immovable Compton.
Gilchrist was lastly out for a career-high of 41 from 64 balls, having helped Kent keep away from the follow-on, earlier than edging Critchley behind the place Michael Pepper grabbed the catch on the second try. Critchley’s fourth profession five-wicket haul was confirmed when Matt Parkinson thick-edged to slide.
Compton, 100 not out at begin of play, watched the wickets tumble from the opposite finish. He performed one of many pictures of the day when he rocked again and drove Harmer by the covers for 4. However he was denied the honour of carrying his bat, bowled round his legs trying to brush Harmer.
When Essex batted for a second time, Dean Elgar survived an opportunity to Agar’s third ball, dropped on the third try by a diving Finch. Elgar made Kent pay with 34 from 48 balls earlier than Garrett trapped him lbw.
Kent had damaged by when Feroze Khushi watched in horror as an injudicious pull off Agar ended up in deep midwicket’s palms. Agar had a second wicket when Tom Westley performed throughout one and was lbw.
Cox shortly discovered his vary, twice reverse-sweeping Parkinson for boundaries after which slamming two fours by midwicket and a six over further cowl in a Parkinson over that value 19. That wasn’t the top of the T20-style innings as sixes rained round Chelmsford. The ever-present Critchley hit 25 from 23 balls in a quickfire 87-run partnership with Cox earlier than being bowled by Parkinson whereas Pepper helped add 91 for the unbroken fifth wicket.