Lots of talking points preceded a chilly day one of the Rothesay County Championship Division two match at Beckenham between Kent and Durham, however, it was Ben Dawkins and Sam Northeast who hit the headlines.

Much was made of Kent’s Zak Crawley being left out of the England squad announced the day before, and the fact that he was replaced by Durham’s Emilio Gay. The visitors also had England captain Ben Stokes, Matthew Potts, who had been suggested as a possible for a return to the England squad, and former Kent wicketkeeper, Ollie Robinson.

There were also identical twin Parkinsons playing, one for each side. Kent’s spinner was Matt while Durham’s twirler was Callum.

Having won the toss, the hosts’ skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond elected to bat first. Kent looked in little trouble until they reached 61, incredibly their highest opening partnership of the season thus far. Maybe trying to make a point, Crawley then drove Stokes in the air straight to Potts at extra cover, and was out for 30.

Northeast, another man struggling for form, joined Dawkins and both looked untroubled as they took Kent through to lunch on 115 for 1.

Continuing where they left off, Dawkins and Northeast batted all the way through until tea. It was not plain sailing, though, as both survived chances. Dawkins had just passed his previous career best and was on 63 when dropped at first slip off Ben Raine, and Northeast survived chances, one difficult behind off Stokes when on 58, and one at backward point off Kasey Aldridge on 73. Dawkins took full advantage and completed his maiden first class century. At tea, he was unbeaten on 118, and Northeast on 76, with the score 247 for 1.

They continued on their merry way after the interval, and Northeast almost made the most of his escapes by recording his first ton since returning to Kent during the winter. They reached three hundred in the seventy-fourth over before Northeast laid into a couple of Stokes overs.

When Raine took the second new ball Northeast played an extraordinary dismissive shot through extra cover for four after taking his top hand off the bat before they reached their three hundred partnership since the fall of Crawley, Kent’s highest ever stand for any wicket against Durham.

Raine finally removed Northeast, caught by Ben McKinney at second slip, for 141 to end a 303 run stand. Tawanda Muyeye didn’t last long, edging Potts to Aldridge at second slip for one, and Bell-Drummond followed soon after, also scoring just one, when edging to McKinney at third slip off Raine.

Now, with their tails up, there were loud groans from the Durham fielders after almost every non wicket taking delivery. Chris Benjamin joined Dawkins and they both batted sensibly to see Kent through to the close without further loss. The hosts ended the day on 385 for 4, with Dawkins unbeaten on 181 and Benjamin on 6.

Kent’s Ben Dawkins said: “Yeah, obviously it’s very pleasing, batting with Sam Northeast was amazing and to put up the record partnership was really pleasing. I always enjoy batting here at Beckingham, but there is something in the wicket and I find it quite hard to drive. And then credit to Durham. They came out with a new ball, second new ball, firing.

“I’m very lucky here at Kent that there’s quite a lot of senior batters, Northeast, Crawley, Tawanda, and Deebs are all amazing and they share so much, so to bat with Sam in the middle is a great learning experience.

“I’ve got a few 60s and actually spoke to Smokes (Adam Hollioake) last week about trying to convert them into bigger scores. I loved it so far. Just to be around the group and the dressing room has been so good.

“It’s a very unfortunate (Ben Compton being injured) because he’s one of our best batters for sure. I’m just trying to give it my best go. It’s a very good opportunity for me to try and not take his place, but put my foot down and try and get on to the team.

(About facing England players in the nets at Loughborough).“I’m so lucky at Loughborough University because it’s right outside my door. I was able to train with them during the winter. It’s a bit different here out in the middle. It’s a great opportunity.”