Matt Coles maiden Championship century put Kent firmly in charge after two days at Headingley as they posted their highest score in Yorkshire.

Coles ninth wicket stand of 153 with seamer Mark Davies took Kent from a respectable position, to a position where they could declare on 539 for 9.

The England Lions bowler brought up his ton is audacious circumstances, having been dropped on the boundary by Andrew Gale before taking a scampered two with last man Charlie Shreck then when on 97, reverse sweeping Adil Rashid for six to get to his century off just 111 balls.

Coles exhilirating innings included eight fours and three sixes, whilst Davies impressed with the bat on his Kent debut by hitting 58 from the 120 deliveries he faced.

The day hadn’t started so well for Kent after returning to bat on 345 for 5 with Darren Stevens, nightwatchman Adam Riley and keeper Geraint Jones all falling within the first hour of the day.

With the trio back in the shed and Kent stuttering at 374 for 8, Coles and Davies set about the Yorkshire attack with abandon.

Coles was quick to bring up his half century whilst Davies went about his business at the other end.

Maidstone born Coles did have one stroke of luck when former England bowler Ryan Sidebottom dropped a simple catch and he certainly made him pay.

When Davies finally fell for 58, it was down to Charlie Shreck to watch from the other end as Coles set about his task of reaching three figures.

Once the objective had been completed, skipper Rob Key called the two batsmen in with Kent in an extremely strong position.

There was still time for Yorkshire to face nine overs before tea and they safely negotiated them with a combination of light rain and bad light ending the day early with no further play possible after the interval.

Kent will look to take quick wickets in the morning with Yorkshire needing another 356 just to avoid the follow on. There was some bad news for the Tykes as Richard Pyrah will miss the rest of the game after breaking his left hand.

Speaking at the end of the day’s play to The Guardian, Coles said:

“I would like to think I can bat, particularly after this, and it will nail me down as an all-rounder rather than a bowler that can bat a bit at the end and give it a whack,” said Coles. “I like to score as quickly as possible and bat on instinct rather than do anything too technical.”

Yorkshire side: Sayers, Root, McGrath, Gale, Bairstow, Ballance, Rashid, Pyrah, Shahzad, Sidebottom, Wardlaw.

Kent side: Key, Newman, Harmison, Nash, Powell, Stevens, Jones, Coles, Shreck, Davies, Riley.

Umpires: MA Eggleston and NA Mallender.

Close of play day two: Kent 537 for 9 declared, Yorkshire 32 for 0.