Former St Lawrence favourite Mark Ealham scored his first championship century since July 2006 to put Nottinghamshire in total control at the mid-point of this opening game of the LV County Championship season.

Kent's frozen and lacklustre attack appeared powerless to stop the burly all-rounder from powering his way to three figures and by the time Nottinghamshire declared on 434 for nine, he had been at the crease for just over four hours in helping his side to a first innings lead of 272.

Ealham, who controversially left Kent in 2003 having been offered a one-year extension as opposed to the three years tabled by Nottinghamshire, hammered his was through the 90s and ended in up with 15 fours and three sixes in his sixth century for the East Midlands' side.

Kent were left to survive 10 overs through to the close, a feat that Rob Key (2) and Joe Denly (7) achieved virtually without alarm in taking the hosts on to 12 without loss.

Ealham had 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.

The game continues on Friday when play, on the third day of four, is scheduled to start at 11am.