Kent began properly, regardless of shedding Ben Dawkins, in for the injured Ben Compton, when he was caught and bowled by Haydon for six.
Crawley had seemed in first rate contact, producing some punishing cowl drives earlier than he was bowled center stump, making an attempt to drive Martin Andersson.
It was nonetheless trying like Kent’s session till Ben Aitchison took a wicket together with his first ball, getting Sam Northeast caught by Caleb Jewell at second slip for 28.
Zak Chappell then strangled Tawanda Muyeye for 9, leaving Kent on 99-4 at lunch.
Ekansh Singh and Bell-Drummond made a vibrant begin to the afternoon session with a stand value 54.
That was damaged when Haydon had the previous lbw for 20 and Bell-Drummond then narrowly survived when he was on 41. A Haydon supply hit his hand and he simply managed to paddle it clear earlier than it hit the stumps.
He cashed in with some fashion and swept Aitchison to backward sq. to achieve three figures – 12 years after he made his final century in opposition to Derbyshire, at this venue.
The Kent balcony erupted with pleasure and Benjamin, Kent’s most constant batter this season, then took a single from the identical bowler to achieve 50, leaving Kent on 265-5 at tea.
Haydon had Benjamin lbw quickly after, nevertheless, whereas Bell-Drummond lastly went when he reduce Chappell to Andersson.
Joey Evison pulled Chappell for a six that pinged off a rail within the prime deck of the Les Ames Pavilion, however he was out for 21 when he slashed Aitchison to Andersson at backward level and Keith Dudgeon bludgeoned a fast 13 earlier than he edged Haydon to first slip, the place Wayne Madsen held on to an opportunity that was travelling at excessive velocity – for his four-hundredth catch in all codecs.
A crowd of practically 1,200 cheered when Jas Singh hit the one that gave Kent a 3rd bonus level, however the innings was wrapped up when Haydon despatched Singh’s off stump flying to carry up his maiden five-wicket haul.
Jewell narrowly averted enjoying on to Matt Milnes throughout a tough five-over spell earlier than stumps, however the guests’ gamble on not utilizing a night-watcher paid off, with Harry Got here and Jewell on 16 and eight not out respectively.
