Not actually the grandstand finish, but nevertheless a fascinating yarn, even though one without a clear ending. Kent remain winless after failing to hurricane the Chelmsford keep, but will be satisfied only to avoid a second final-session choke in 2 weeks. With Essex set 338 to win in 78 overs, neither side ever genuinely promised to purloin all sixteen points, and both face a relegation struggle unless they can find a cutting edge. But the indications are slightly more encouraging for Essex. If Kent’s plan was to hit their hosts discourteously out of the game, it took 30 minutes for Essex to kick the door open audaciously.

Previous Kent bowler David Gurus did the early damage, removing nightwatchman Matt Coles and clean bowling James Hockley.

Danish Kaneria then removed substantial turn turned to catch the fringe of Azhar Mahmood, before extinguishing the innings with 2 wickets in 2 balls.

Sam Northeast threw a catch to backward point after completing his 2nd 50 of the match, while Makhaya Ntini hardly inconvenienced himself, not to mention the scorers.

The South African was lbw first ball. Kaneria finished with 4 for 68 in his first game of the season without constantly finding his best form. With James Tredwell in the Caribbean topping up his suntan, Robert Key’s hankering for a first-rate spinner of his very own was palpable. Key’s pining after a first-rate spinner, on a pitch wearing about noticeably, was palpable. He used 3 part time options in the 1st fifteen overs, the 3rd of whom, Hockley, delivered the discovery. Having made a pleasant 31, Billy Godleman was shocked by a ball that turned and lifted, and could only edge it to slide. A startled Godleman lingered as if the ball had been delivered by JC Laker instead of JB Hockley. Alastair Cook, in the meantime, was effective if a long way from smooth. He brought up a 103-ball 50, but might have fallen to Hockley twice in an over and looked more content after the off-spinner had to hobble off with a hamstring injury. Joe Denly, who stepped into the break, was less correct but was ready to crop the wicket of Jaik Mickelburgh, lbw on the sweep. As the asking rate slipped the incorrect side of 6 an over, discontented supporters encouraged their team to seize the day.