Jordan Cox blew away the nerves to produce a dream innings for Kent.

The 19-year-old right-hander compiled his maiden first-class century on day two of Kent's Bob Willis Trophy game against Sussex.

He ended Sunday with a career-best 167 not out and shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 231 - beating the club’s previous best against Sussex of 229 that's stood since 1948 - with former Yorkshire batsman Jack Leaning, who finished unbeaten on 110 as Kent closed on 338-1.

Cox, an England under-19 player and a product of Kent’s academy, was making only his second first-class appearance at Canterbury.

“It’s a dream come true and I am really happy,” said the teenager, opening in the absence of Kent’s England duo Joe Denly and Zak Crawley.

“I was a bit nervous, everyone is a bit nervous when they walk out, but I said to myself, ‘it’s a good wicket, play good shots and you will get the rewards'.

“I was absolutely chuffed to get my first 100. I had dreamed of it but I never thought it would come this early.”

Cox moved to three figures with a huge six.

He said: “When I was on about 97 I was very nervous, very very nervous, as anyone would be I imagine, but I just said to myself, ‘play good shots’. I saw it and thought, this is six or out.

“I didn't even watch it. I hit it, felt it, and I turned to the boys, and that was the happiest moment of my career so far.”

The century from Leaning, his first for Kent, made his own performance all the sweeter.

“I was absolutely thrilled for him,” Cox said. “That made my day as much as scoring runs, I was really chuffed for him.”

Sussex had been bowled out early on day two for 332 and Kent now have a six-run lead going into the third day at the St Lawrence Ground.

Cox will be looking to extend that lead, icing a chest injury after ducking into a Stuart Meaker bumper. The blow only deepened his determination to make Sussex suffer.

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