KENT avoided the follow-on and marched toward parity on a cut and thrust day of Frizzell Championship cricket at New Road.

Having let Worcestershire marginally off the hook in posting 453 in their first innings, Kent recovered from the perils of 21 for two to reach 347 for six by the close.

The visitors’ response was built around a hard-hitting 98-ball ton from Andrew Symonds and half-centuries from Matthew Walker and Alex Loudon – his first in championship cricket.

Symonds spanked 19 fours in his 115-minute stay and was given good company by Walker (62) and Loudon (59), but all three were left regretting the shots they got out to.

Symonds was adjudged caught at silly point to one that appeared to brush the forearm, but Walker and Loudon had little or no argument in mitigation as they played slack shots to toss away their own wickets.

James Tredwell with 23 and Niall O’Brien 43 took Kent past their follow-on target however, and at 347 for six, they need a further 107 to take the lead in the game.