Kent openers Dawkins and Northeast hammer Durham in 2026 Championship

Ben Dawkins and Sam Northeast both struck centuries as Kent piled up 385 runs at Beckenham on the opening day against Durham.

Dominant Kent start at Beckenham Kent piled up 385 runs for the loss of four wickets on the opening day of their County Championship Division Two clash with Durham at the County Ground, Beckenham. Both opener Ben Dawkins and Sam Northeast reached centuries as the hosts dominated proceedings. Their stand of 303 runs for the second wicket set a new record for Kent against Durham in any form of first-class cricket. England captain Ben Stokes managed to dismiss Zak Crawley for 30, but Durham's fielding errors allowed both Dawkins and Northeast to reach three figures. ## Early wickets and dropped catches Zak Crawley struck two fours in the first over after Kent elected to bat, including a cover drive and a straight drive off Stokes, but was caught at cover by Matthew Potts shortly after. Dawkins brought up his half-century when he guided Kasey Aldridge for three runs, taking Kent to 115 for one at lunch. The pitch offered variable bounce, with several short balls flying over Durham wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson's head. Dawkins survived an edge to Raine on 63, with David Bedingham failing to take a straightforward slip catch, while Northeast was dropped at backward point by Raine when on 73. ## Centuries and partnership milestone Dawkins reached his first first-class century when he flicked Aldridge through the vacant slip region for four, with Kent standing at 247 for one at tea. Northeast, returning to Kent during the winter, took a single from Aldridge to complete his own century, his first for the club since a score of 110 in a draw at Chester-le-Street in September 2017. Dawkins accelerated past the 150-run mark with a straight drive through midwicket off Stokes, before the stand was broken when Northeast edged Raine to Ben McKinney at slip. ## Late wickets stem tide for Durham A brief collapse followed as Tawanda Muyeye edged to Potts and was caught by Aldridge for a single, followed by Daniel Bell-Drummond dismissed for one by Raine, caught at gully by Alex Lees. Dawkins remained unbeaten on 181, having struck 21 fours and a six during his marathon innings. He was joined at the close by Chris Benjamin, who finished the day on six not out. Ben Raine claimed two wickets for Durham, finishing the day with figures of two for seventy-two. ## Match context and scorecard The Rothesay County Championship Division Two match saw Kent post a commanding total of 385 for four on the first day. Dawkins top-scored with 181 not out, while Northeast contributed 141. Durham's struggles with the bat and in the field were evident as they dropped both openers before they reached triple figures. The visitors managed to take three wickets late in the day, but Kent remained firmly in control heading into the second day.