Tawanda Muyeye hit a brilliant maiden double century to frustrate Worcestershire’s hopes of a three day victory in the bottom two Vitality County Championship encounter at Visit Worcestershire New Road. 

The 23-year-old dominated proceedings with the bat and played the major role in Kent wiping out a first innings deficit of 276. Muyeye began the day unbeaten on 80 and again looked a class performer as he surpassed his previous best score of 179 against Northamptonshire at Northampton last summer. 

A single off Joe Leach took Muyeye to his double ton and was the cue for an elaborate jig of delight around the square before he was embraced by team-mate Grant Stewart. 

He received solid support from Jack Leaning, Joey Evison, Harry Finch and Stewart. Muyeye’s fine knock came to an end in the final over of the day when he was caught behind off James Hartshorn for 211 from 279 balls with three sixes and 23 fours. 

Worcestershire remain favourites to secure a second successive win in the Championship tomorrow with Kent just 77 ahead with two wickets remaining. 

Tom Taylor – three for 85 from 22 overs – was rewarded for some fine bowling with two wickets with the second new ball to tip the balance of the game in the home side’s favour. 

But it was also one of those days for Worcestershire where the half chances did not quite go to hand or did not stick in contrast to the superb display in the field on day one. 

Overnight rain and morning drizzle meant play was unable to get underway until 2pm with 66 overs remaining. Kent resumed on 104-2 in their second innings needing a further 172 to avoid an innings defeat. 

Leaning began proceedings with a trio of boundaries but New Zealand James Hartshorn brought about his downfall in the third over of the day. He was undone by a full and swinging delivery and was plumb lbw for 27. 

Muyeye continued his aggressive approach by pulling Hartshorn backward of square for six. He completed the second first class century of his career from 109 balls with a single off Leach and it contained two sixes and 13 fours.   

Muyeye bowed to his team-mates on reaching his personal milestone and runs continued to flow at a rapid rate. But the introduction into the attack of Adam Finch led to another breakthrough with Evison pushing forward and caught behind low down by Gareth Roderick. 

Muyeye had one slice of luck on 135 when he top edged Hartshorn in between two fielders at backward square leg but otherwise continued to bat in impressive fashion. 

D’Oliveira brought himself into the attack as an all-spin combination alongside Jake Libby with Worcestershire’s over rate displayed as minus three on the scoreboard. 

New batter Harry Finch provided staunch support for Muyeye although he was fortunate when edging Tom Taylor and seeing a head high chance not grasped by first slip. 

But Taylor kept plugging away and was rewarded when Harry Finch was caught in the crease and lbw after adding 81 with Muyeye. Stewart adopted an aggressive approach when joining Muyeye in the middle in another fruitful partnership of 84 in 16 overs. 

But Taylor did strike with the second new ball to end a stand of 84 when Stewart was trapped lbw for 41 at 333-6 and then had Matt Parkinson caught behind before Hartshorn ended Muyeye’s brilliant innings. 

Worcestershire Assistant Head Coach Kadeer Ali said: “We’ve had to work really hard today. Fully credit to Muyeye. I thought he was outstanding. He played really nicely in the first innings and today was a special knock. 

“He held them together and they had four or five decent partnerships and the bowlers had to keep coming back and we worked really hard and as a collective unit bowled really well. 

“Tommy Taylor probably deserved a little bit more luck, probably some more in the wicket-taking column but overall we stuck at it and kept on breaking partnerships when they were just starting to blossom. 

“A few chances didn’t quite go to hand but the players didn’t lose heart and kept going. Not everything will go your way and it is all about being patient and getting the ball in the right area. 

“That’s the beauty of these boys. They love to work hard and put a shift in for the team and I thought we did that really well today. 

“Tom has been brilliant for us. He was frustrated by an injury during the early part of the season so he missed quite a lot of cricket. 

“He came straight into some T20 cricket and was probably a little undercooked but he has been brilliant and showing how good he is now. 

“His spells at the end of the day after they were in a decent position were vital and it feels like there is not much different between his first and last spells in terms of pace.” 

Kent double century-maker Tawanda Muyeye said: “To be fair, some of the boys have never seen me that happy because I’m usually quite reserved and quite quiet. 

“It was more to do what has happened with the season. I struggled a lot and I just never ever saw any light at the end of the tunnel. 

“I found some form in the T20s, went to The Hundred, didn’t play that much, and for me to play like that over the last two days has made me so happy. 

“It was tough at the start of the summer. It was tough for everyone watching as well because it didn’t look like me (as a player) at all. 

“To come out and be myself, and just take it on straight away, from the first innings, was brilliant and for me, at some stage I just needed to grow up and be responsible. 

“For me, cricket has always been about fun and entertaining people so I hope that was good enough. 

“There is still a lot of work to be done. We all have our goals in life and cricket and this is a starting point and I want to carry on and work as hard as I can.”