By Mark Pennell

Kent’s bid to maintain pressure on Division 2 title favourites Essex evaporated just like the cloud cover over Beckenham, where Ben Duckett and Alex Wakely reinforced Northamptonshire’s superiority on day two of this Specsavers Championship clash.

By lunch Duckett had reached an excellent 75, while his skipper Wakely kept him company with 42 as the visitors went to the break on 150 for one – to trail by only 80 runs.

Though Kent’s attack enjoyed humidity and cloud cover for the opening hour, they experienced little luck before sunshine and blue skies arrived by noon.

The only moment of note in the opening half-hour was a low level fly-by by a gaggle of Canada geese who buzzed across the square like the Red Arrows.

But the introduction of Mitch Claydon at the Northern End paid immediate dividends when he got one to lift on Rob Newton and graze the edge allowing Callum Jackson, Kent’s stand-in keeper, to mark his 22nd birthday with a catch.

Duckett and Wakely dug in thereafter. Duckett reaching a 79-ball 50 while Wakely enjoyed a life on 27 when Darren Stevens downed a sharp, overhead chance at short mid-on off the bowling of Will Gidman.