Essex dominated Kent in the County Championship with Jordan Cox hitting a whirlwind century

Jordan Cox scored a century for Essex against his former team-mates from Kent, hitting six mighty sixes in an unbeaten 116.

Essex reached 257-4 in 40 overs, giving them a lead of 374.

Earlier, Ben Compton batted for over eight-and-a-half hours to help Kent avoid the follow-on. The stubborn left-handed batsman was the last player to be dismissed, scoring 165, his highest score for Kent.

Essex came close to forcing Kent to bat again, thanks to an exceptional performance from leg-spinning all-rounder Matt Critchley, who followed up his career-high score of 151 with 5-105.

Daniel Bell-Drummond only managed to add one run to his overnight score of 134 before being dismissed lbw by Jamie Porter. Bell-Drummond and Compton had a partnership of 224 runs for the second wicket.

In Porter's next over, the new ball swiftly dismissed Jack Leaning, and Joe Denly's leg stump was removed by Shane Snater.

Harry Finch misdrove to mid-on, Jaydn Denly looped one into short leg's hands, and Wes Agar was lbw, leaving Critchley to take over.

Nathan Gilchrist contributed 41 to an 88-run partnership with Compton, hitting Critchley and Simon Harmer for sixes.

Compton, who was 100 not out at the start of play, was denied the honour of carrying his bat when he was bowled around his legs attempting to sweep Harmer.

Critchley removed Matt Parkinson and Feroze Khushi fell to Agar's delivery to deep midwicket. Dean Elgar, who was dropped off the third ball of the innings, made 34 before George Garrett trapped him lbw.

Agar dismissed Tom Westley lbw, but Cox responded by hitting two reverse-sweeps for boundaries and then scoring 19 runs in a single over against the spinner Parkinson.

Critchley contributed 25 runs from 23 balls in a quickfire 87-run partnership before being bowled by Parkinson. Michael Pepper also played a crucial role, smashing 34 runs in an unbroken 91-run partnership for the fifth wicket.