Jordan Cox’s whirlwind century puts Essex in command against Kent in County Championship

Jordan Cox’s sensational unbeaten century propelled Essex towards a commanding position against Kent in the Vitality County Championship Division One match at Cloud County Ground in Chelmsford.

The 23-year-old right-hander, who recently switched from Kent to Essex, smashed six sixes on his way to an unbeaten 116 from just 89 balls. His aggressive innings helped Essex reach 257-4 in just 40 overs, setting Kent a daunting target of 374 runs.

Earlier in the day, Ben Compton played a crucial innings for Kent, scoring 165 runs to help his team avoid the follow-on. However, Matt Critchley’s inspired spell of 5-105 restricted Kent to 413 all out, giving Essex a significant lead.

Critchley’s performance with the ball, combined with Cox’s explosive batting display, put Essex in a strong position heading into the final day of the match. Daniel Bell-Drummond and Compton’s partnership of 224 runs for the second wicket was a highlight for Kent, but they will need a special effort to overcome Essex’s dominant position.

Essex currently lead Kent by 374 runs with one day remaining in the match. With Cox in fine form and their bowlers looking sharp, Essex will be confident of securing a victory in this crucial County Championship encounter.

The stage is set for an exciting finish at Chelmsford, as Essex look to close out the match and secure valuable points in the Division One standings. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds on the final day of this thrilling contest.