OPENING batsman Stephen Peters hit his maiden championship ton of the season as Worcestershire continued to dominate at New Road.

Kent all-rounder Andrew Symonds took the two wickets to fall in the opening session, but home skipper Ben Smith (65) then dug in with Stephen Peters (115) to bat 39 overs before Kent's next success with 119 on the board.

It was former Worcestershire seamer Alamgir Sheriyar who struck to have Smith caught at slip by James Tredwell.

Sheriyar, who had been heckled by his former supporters, ran one across the right-handed Smith to feather the outside edge.

Peters, steady rather than spectacular, reached three figures from 186 balls and with 17 fours as the hosts went into tea on 343 for three.

Earlier,Birmingham-born, Aussie-raised Symonds came on first change at The New Road End to claim the scalp of Stephen Moore (5) and the prized wicket of Graeme Hick (2) in an excellent burst of two for 12 in nine overs.

Moore played across a full-length, in-swinger to lose his off stump, while Hick fenced at a leg-cutter to go after a short 17-ball stay to a slip catch by Tredwell.

On what appears a flat New Road pitch, Stephen Peters cashed in with a flawless 64 to take his side into lunch on 100 for two.

Ed Smith was promoted to lead the side after David Fulton failed a late fitness test on a bruised hand - the legacy of being struck by a Steve Crook beamer at The Nevill last week.

St Lawrence and Highland Court seamer Simon Cusden was handed a championship debut and Ben Trott came in for his season's bow.

Kent had Min Patel (groin), Mohammad Sami (knee), Rob Ferley (knuckle) and Fulton out injured, while Martin Saggers and Geraint Jones were absent on England duty.