Lancashire were 19-0 overnight and after yesterday’s collision with Ben Compton, Tawanda Muyeye developed delayed concussion symptoms.

He was replaced by Joe Denly, in line with ECB protocols, although as a like-for-like replacement he was not allowed to bowl.

Compton himself hurt his wrist and was unable to field, or open.

Kent were buoyed by two early wickets as Quinn struck in the fifth over of the morning, getting Jennings caught at first slip by Ben Dawkins for 17 and Josh Bohannon went for a fifth-ball duck, edging Joey Evison to Dawkins, who caught him at the second attempt.

Although the ball regularly beat the bat, Wells and Marcus Harris put on 82 for the third wicket, Parkinson breaking the partnership when the latter charged at him and was stumped by Harry Finch for 32, leaving Lancs on 118-3 at lunch.

The visitors regained the momentum until Matty Hurst played on to Quinn and was bowled for 24. Parkinson then had Wells caught behind.

Quinn caught and bowled Michael Jones for four, then got George Balderson lbw for 11.

When Parkinson had Tom Bailey caught by Jaydn Denly at first slip for three, Lancs were eight down and still 98 behind, but Hartley was dropped twice off Parkinson, by Finch and Mo Rizvi, and alongside Will Williams he steered Lancashire to 254-8 at tea.

The deficit was down to 33 when Williams was lbw to Jaydn Denly for 26, but Hartley responded by smearing Parkinson for six over mid-wicket to bring up his 50, and the visitors were almost level when he hit Parkinson down Ekansh Singh’s throat.

With Compton absent for Kent’s second innings, Jaydn Denly and Dawkins immediately went on the attack. The former pulled Hartley for six over mid-wicket and passed fifty with an elegant reverse-sweep off Wells, shortly before stumps.

Dawkins then survived a loud appeal in the final over, as Bailey bowled a tricky over of off-spin.