Daniel Bell-Drummond and Ben Compton his centuries as Kent (245-1) reply to Essex’s (530-7) daunting first-innings total at Chelmsford

Kent captain Daniel Bell-Drummond made it back-to-back centuries as just two wickets fell on day two of their Vitality County Championship Division 1 clash with Essex in Chelmsford on Saturday.

Bell-Drummond followed up his second innings ton against Somerset with another three-figure score and he was joined in the hundred club by opener Ben Compton, who reached the landmark in the final over of the day.

Replying to Essex’s daunting total of 530-7 declared, Kent closed the day on 245-1, still 285 runs behind their hosts.

“It was a good day for us,” said Bell-Drummond. “They got a lot of runs on the board and started well, so it was crucial myself and Ben [Compton] got stuck in, got over the new ball and took it from there.

“They bowled quite well, though it is quite a nice pitch to bat on. They kept the rate down for a little bit, but we got through that period and both played nicely.

“All you can do is take it ball-by-ball. It can be quite daunting facing such a large first-innings score from Essex, but that is what you do when you bat first - try and put runs on the board.

“We just had to dig in and take it over by over and try and be not out at the end of the day. When we came out to bat after lunch, we weren’t looking that far ahead. But it’s always a pleasure batting with Ben, we complement each other really well. I’m just glad we could get through to the end of the day.”

Essex’s total was anchored by Matt Critchley’s career-best 151 not out, beating his unbeaten 137 against Northamptonshire in his second appearance for Derbyshire as an 18-year-old back in 2015. His marathon innings encompassed 212 balls and included just five fours, but four sixes.

Shane Snater had claimed the first Kent wicket just before lunch