Ben Dawkins and Sam Northeast each hit centuries as Kent dominated the primary day of their County Championship Division Two recreation with Durham, posting 385-4.
Dawkins, 19, hit his maiden first-class century, ending on 180 not out, whereas Northeast made 141 – their partnership of 303 was Kent’s highest for any wicket towards Durham.
Though England captain Ben Stokes dismissed Zak Crawley for 30, Durham struggled within the area, dropping each Dawkins and Northeast earlier than they reached three figures.
Nevertheless, they dragged themselves again into the competition with three late wickets and Ben Raine ended day one with 2-72.
Crawley struck two boundaries within the opening over after Kent selected to bat. He appeared like he was getting the higher of Stokes, driving him via the covers for 4 after which producing a straight drive that flew to the boundary, however he then hit him straight to Matthew Potts at cowl.
Nevertheless, Dawkins moved to fifty when he pushed Kasey Aldridge for 3 and Kent reached 115-1 at lunch.
The pitch was not totally lifeless, with a number of short-pitched deliveries flying over Durham’s wicket-keeper Ollie Robinson.
However nor was it chanceless – Dawkins was on 63 when he edged Raine, however David Bedingham missed a simple slip catch, whereas Northeast was on 73 when he tried to drive Aldridge however was put down by Raine at backward level.
Dawkins was the primary to money in, edging Aldridge for 4 via the vacant slip cordon to achieve three figures and Kent had been 247-1 at tea.
Northeast, who re-joined Kent through the winter, subsequently took a single from Aldridge to deliver up his first century for the membership since September 2017 when he made 110 in a draw at Chester-le-Avenue.
Dawkins drilled Stokes via midwicket to deliver up his 150, however the stand was lastly ended when Northeast edged Raine to Ben McKinney at slip.
This sparked a mini-collapse. After ready for the perfect a part of 5 hours, Tawanda Muyeye nicked off to Potts and was caught by Aldridge for one, earlier than Daniel Bell-Drummond additionally went for one, caught at gully by Alex Lees off Raine.
Dawkins, nevertheless, survived till stumps, alongside Chris Benjamin, who was unbeaten on six.
