Mark Ealham hits out for Notts

Mark Ealham made his former county toil as Nottinghamshire established a commanding first-innings lead of 272 runs over Kent at Canterbury.

Ealham's sixth first-class century for Notts was his first against the county he left in 2004 after 14 years - and helped the visitors to 434 for nine declared, in their first match since regaining promotion to LV County Championship Division One.

The all-rounder paced his innings superbly, facing 216 balls and playing a range of fine strokes - but he was fortunate to survive a stumping chance on 99 off James Tredwell.

Earlier, resuming on 121 for three, Notts lost Mark Wagh to the fourth ball of the day without an addition to his overnight 52 when he was bowled by Darren Stevens.

Samit Patel and Chris Read added 76 in 17 overs with the former bringing up his half-century from 95 balls when he drove Stevens to the cover boundary.

But with the score on 198, Kent struck twice in three balls.

Read mistimed driving Stevens and was caught at mid-off by Joe Denly, then Patel (54) was held by Azhar Mahmood at short extra cover from a very casual drive.

Samit Patel's patient 54 laid Notts' platform at Canterbury

Patel had faced 111 balls during his two and a half hours at the crease.

Stevens continued to trouble the batsmen with his medium-pace and again Mahmood held a catch at the same position to dismiss Graeme Swann for nine - giving the bowler figures of four wickets for 31 runs in eight overs.

In the second session the visitors lost just one wicket as Ealham and Paul Franks added 87 in 31 overs for the eighth wicket.

During the stand Franks reached his 50 from 78 balls with his eighth boundary, a pull off Ryan McLaren, before the bowler uprooted his off stump to make the score 306 for eight.

Ealham's half-century was the fourth of the innings - he batted watchfully and faced 158 balls before reaching 50.

Tea was taken with the total 331 for eight - but Ealham played powerful shots after the break, reaching 81 with a cover drive off Martin Saggers, whom he hit for a six and a four taking 16 in his next over.

Ealham reached his first century since July 2006 with a six lofted over mid-on off Tredwell.

By the time Nottinghamshire declared the innings Ealham had hit a third six in addition to his 15 fours.

Stevens, with 4-70 had the best bowling figures for the home side while Yasir Arafat and McLaren took two wickets each.

In the 10 overs that Kent faced in their second innings before stumps they were 14 without loss, trailing by 258 runs.