Tony Palladino earned warm praise from head coach Graham Gooch after turning in the best performance by an Essex bowler this season.
The paceman, playing in only his second Championship match, returned figures of 6-41 from 15 overs as Kent were bowled out for 189.
The 20-year-old's ability to swing the ball proved a potent weapon to leave him savouring a day at Canterbury that he will never forget.
"It was a fine display by the young lad," said Gooch. "There was a little bit in the pitch for him but you still have to get the ball in the right areas -- and that's what he did.
"It was the sort of pitch where you are likely to get punished if you dropped short. The ball had to be pitched up and Tony did that consistently. I'm delighted for him.
"Obviously he's got much to learn but he's a lad I've watched come through the ranks at Essex and he possesses plenty of talent. Now we're hoping that he can make the most of it."
Amazingly Palladino, a student who has two more years at Anglia University, had bagged just four first class wickets this season for 455 runs while turning out three times for Cambridge UCCE and once for Essex.
But despite his deeds and a half-century from skipper Ronnie Irani, Essex still did not claim the ascendancy. They finished on 164-7 in their search for a first innings lead.
Among Palladino's victims was Ed Smith, without whom Kent's innings would have made embarrassing reading.
He struck 108 from 112 balls, his fourth successive Championship century and his fifth in six innings since collecting a "pair" at Chelmsford just over a month ago.
After trapping Robert Key in his opening spell, Palladino claimed the rest of his successes in a nine-over stint either side of lunch.
Mark Ealham and Geraint Jones departed before the interval, while Amjad Khan and Mark Saggers went afterwards just ahead of Smith.
Will Jefferson was caught behind off Khan soon after Essex began their reply, but the recalled Darren Robinson and Flower had compiled the only 50 partnership of the day when they ran into trouble.
Flower -- having struck six fours, including two in an over against debutant Muttaih Muralitharan -- paid the price for chasing a wide delivery to be caught behind off Ealham.
The Zimabwean had contributed 39 out of the stand of 59 and was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Robinson when the same combination struck again.
More on Essex County Cricket Club
Published Thursday, July 31, 2003
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