Former Kent favourite Mark Ealham proved the major stumbling block to his ex-team-mates in Canterbury by scoring a half-century that helped Nottinghamshire to reach 331 for eight by tea on day two of this championship opener.

Ealham went into the break on 56 not out having featured in an eighth wicket stand worth 87 in 31 overs with Paul Franks, who was the only casualty of the mid-session.

Franks contributed 52 in 83 balls before he dragged the ball onto his off stump when attempting an airy drive off the bowling of Ryan McLaren.

But it proved Kent’s only success of the afternoon session and by the second interval the visitors had extended their lead to 168 runs.

Darren Stevens was Kent’s unlikely bowling hero in the first session of the day as the visitors, who resumed on their overnight score of 121 for three, went into lunch on 240 for seven and Stevens was the man to take all four wickets.

The former Leicestershire player started his improbable haul with only his fourth ball of the day. Introduced at the Nackington Road End to allow Azhar Mahmood to change ends, Stevens nipped one down the hill to peg back Mark Wagh’s off stump.

Later in the morning Stevens came on at the Pavilion End where he again proved something of headache to the Nottinghamshire batsmen.

After hitting a stylish 35 Chris Read smeared an attempted off drive to mid-off then, three balls later, Samit Patel (54) drove uppishly to pick out Azhar Mahmood at short extra cover.

Six overs later Graeme Swann (9) followed in near identical fashion after being lured into driving at a Stevens’ slower ball.

~ Kent v Notts: Day one in pictures >>>