91Èȱ¬

Essex wicketkeepers Ben Foakes and James Foster joined forces to save their side from a sticky situation against Kent at Chelmsford.

Resuming after a day lost on 214-5, Kent batted on to make 296, Darren Stevens finishing on 136, to carve a first-innings lead of 84.

Visiting paceman Mark Davies then took four wickets to reduce Essex to 24-5.

But Foakes (86) and Foster (52) rescued their side with an unbroken stand of 142 as Essex earned a draw on 166-5.

91Èȱ¬ Essex's Nick Gledhill:

"For Essex, a draw that might feel like a win. At 24-5 they were in total disarray against brilliant new ball bowling, especially from Mark Davies.

"Still 60 behind Essex looked like sliding to a heavy defeat that would have derailed their recent momentum.

"James Foster produced a classic captain's innings but the performance of Ben Foakes stood out.

"He had been struggling at number three and may have to bat there at Worcester. After that he should return to number five where he has the ability to secure a permanent place."

91Èȱ¬ Radio Kent's Peter Guise:

"Having lost a whole day to rain at Chelmsford a victory for Kent seemed improbable but their travelling faithful were treated to Darren Stevens's fifth century in a match against Essex to give them a handy first-innings lead.

"His partnership with Matt Coles propelled Kent to potentially a winning position, and that seemed even more likely once Mark Davies had ripped through the Essex top order just after lunch with five back in the pavilion and still 60 adrift.

"But if Stevens and Coles were the scourge of Essex, Foster and Foakes returned the favour with a sixth-wicket partnership that denied Kent their first Championship victory of the season from what was a greatly improved performance on that which had seen them capitulate in two days in their last outing."

Match scorecard