Ben Compton and Jordan Cox score centuries in Kent fightback against Essex in the LV= County Championship Division One match

Ben Compton scored a maiden first-class century in England as Kent’s game at Essex heads towards a draw.

Compton produced a knock of 129 while Jordan Cox was unbeaten on 100 at Chelmsford.

Kent (405-5) closed 109 runs behind Essex (514) with a day to play.

South African Compton is the 13th man to score over 100 on their first class debut for the county and he was delighted.

He said: “I’m very thrilled to get that score. I just wanted to spend time out there and take everything in: the wicket, being in a new environment.

“I was glad to get the team off to a good start and spend time out there, those were the things I was looking to do. It’s nice to put in practice the things I’d worked hard in the winter over.

“My job is to give everything I can to try and get involved. It’s a long road and it’s by no means a sunny day and there will be ups and downs over the summer. But I’m thrilled and it hasn’t really sunk in yet, to be honest. I’m sure over time I will look back over the innings and be very fond of it. You have to enjoy these moments, so I will. On a personal level it’s great to feel that backing from the club, feel that support. I’m glad I’ve repaid that to some extent.

“I went away this winter and it did a lot for my cricket. I played in Zimbabwe and both the cricketing experience and the life experience, being in a different part of the world, was good for me and stood me in good stead for this first game.”

His previous highest score in this country was 20, for Nottinghamshire last season. On his Kent debut he produced a patient 129 as his new team negated Essex’s mammoth first-innings 514.

With Zak Crawley, Jack Leaning, Sam Billings and George Linde all unavailable for this opening fixture – and Joe Denly nursing