Jordan Cox scores century for Essex (530-7dec & 257-4) against his former club as they lead Kent (413) by 374 runs going into final day in Chelmsford

Former Kent batsman Jordan Cox scored a century as Essex wrestled control of their Vitality County Championship clash at Chelmsford on day three on Sunday.

The 23-year-old right-hander hit six sixes in an unbeaten 116 as Essex scored at six runs an over in a bid to force a final-day victory.

The hosts lead by 374 runs heading into the final day when rain and strong winds are forecasted.

Earlier, Kent opener Ben Compton extended his stay in the middle for more than eight and a half hours to help Kent avoid the follow-on by 33 runs. The left-hander was last man out for 165, his highest score for Kent, from 263 balls.

That Essex were able to get so close to asking Kent to go straight back in was due to an inspired spell from leg-spinning all-rounder Matt Critchley, following up his career-high 151 with 5-105, his best figures since moving from Derbyshire in 2022.

Wickets had been scarce on day two, but skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond had added just a single to his overnight score when he was late on a straight one from Jamie Porter. He had been in the middle for 73 overs with Compton while putting on 224 for the second wicket.

Essex had taken the new ball at the start of the day and it quickly accounted for Jack Leaning (4) in Porter’s next over, lbw to one that jagged in, before Shane Snater removed Joe Denly’s (16) leg stump to claim his 100th first-class wicket.

It was then over to Critchley, who flipped from end to end, taking wickets at both. Harry Finch (6) misdrove to mid-on to the first ball of a brief spell from the river end, Jaydn Denly lunged extravagantly to loop a ball from the opposite end into short leg’s hands for a 16-ball duck on debut and Wes Agar (10) toppled forward to fall lbw as Critchley reverted to