Essex head toward 400-run lead

Ryan McLaren claimed his fifth wicket of the match at The Nevilltoday

Kent v Essex, LV County Championship, Tunbridge Wells day three.
By Mark Pennell
KENT will do well to preserve their unbeaten championship tag here at The Nevill after visitors Essex batted on to reach 221 for four at lunch in their second innings for an overall lead in the game of lead 378.
Having decided against enforcing the follow-on on Wednesday Essex, resuming on their overnight score of 1-9 for three, lost only one more wicket in a sunny morning session whilst adding 112 to their third day total.
Kent spurned one early opportunity when, with his score on 38, Varun Chopra top-edged a hook to long leg where substitute fielder Sam Northeast caught the catch only to step over the ropes and gift Chopra a six.
Chopra went on to post a 98-ball 50 in two hours for his part in a fourth wicket stand worth 95 in 32 overs with his skipper Mark Pettini.
The stand finally ended when Chopra (58), driving hard outside off against Ryan McLaren, got a thin edge to second slip where Martin van Jaarsveld took a magnificent low catch.
Pettini went on to reach his 50 from 127-balls with eight fours and was still there at lunch, unbeaten on 59, his highest score in any form of cricket this summer.
Photo by ARPics