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Kent avoided further damage in the 10 balls of play possible on a rain-hit second day at Chelmsford.

Having been reduced to 17-5 in the 9.4 overs bowled on day one, Essex resumed at 1445 BST after heavy overnight rain.

Charl Willoughby, with figures of 4-8 to his credit, completed his fifth over and David Masters sent down a maiden.

Geraint Jones then took three off Willoughby and Darren Stevens struck the next ball for four before the bad weather returned.

South Africa Test batsman Alviro Petersen did not take the field during the brief passage of play after turning an ankle while warming up but Essex expect him to be fit for the final two days.