The runs flowed on the opening day of Kent's County Championship clash with Yorkshire on Thursday - thanks to some wayward home bowling.

Opener Adam Lyth raced to 97 for Yorkshire, including a half-century in the opening hour, but England captain Joe Root was out for just 11.

Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens celebrated being named as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year by taking 3-52 and Matt Milnes claimed 2-63, including the prize scalp of Root, while wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson took five catches.

The visitors had regained control by the close of play in the Group 3 fixture thanks to Steven Patterson and David Willey, who were unbeaten on 34 and 25 respectively, leaving Yorkshire with four bonus points and Kent two.

Robinson admitted: "We probably let them get away a bit this morning, then pulled it back a bit this afternoon and probably let it slip towards the end, giving them a few too many.

"But it’s a pretty even day getting them eight down, especially after the start they got off to.”

Yorkshire won the toss and opted to bat in cold conditions at the St Lawrence Ground, racing to 28-0 before Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell for 14 to the final ball of the fourth over, glancing a leg-side delivery from Stevens to Robinson.

The visitors continued to score at over six an over for the first hour and Lyth reached his fifty before noon, from just 43 balls, before Kent slowed the run rate. Harry Podmore removed Tom Loten for 27, another legside victim caught behind, to leave Yorkshire 128-2 at lunch.

Kent claimed four wickets in the afternoon session, including Root, who became Robinson’s third victim, when he was lured outside off stump by Milnes.

Lyth fell three short of his century, nicking Milnes to Robinson and Harry Brook produced an innings of controlled aggression before he was lbw to Miguel Cummins (1-92 in 18 overs) for 54.

With Podmore off the field with an injury, occasional bowler Jack Leaning took a wicket with his first ball, getting Jonathan Tattersall caught at slip by Stevens for 11, leaving the visitors on 240-6 at tea.

Dom Bess and Jordan Thompson batted through the first hour of the evening session before Stevens removed both, getting Bess lbw for 36 and Thompson caught behind for 34, with the second new ball, reducing Yorkshire to 299-8. But Kent bowlers were then frustrated by Patterson and Willey who produced an unbroken partnership of 59 for the ninth wicket.