Australian Test batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head have missed the boat in the County Championship as they were both dismissed cheaply in the latest round of matches.
But England's Dan Lawrence, with a superb 152 not out, and Zak Crawley, unbeaten on 61, were both in good nick in Friday's action.
Head, in his first innings for Sussex at Brighton, had been going nicely in reply to Kent's 145 all out but, on 20, he was bowled by Darren Stevens, the oldest player in the first-class game in England at 45.
Stevens had previously also grabbed the wicket of Labuschagne earlier in the season.
Sussex went on to make 256 before Kent moved smoothly on to 2-138 in their second innings, with Crawley scoring his fluent unbeaten half-century.
At Cardiff, Labuschagne, who had scored 11 and 12 in his first two matches for Glamorgan, failed again when trapped lbw by Yorkshire's Ben Coad for 10 as the Welsh side were bowled out for 149.
In reply, England captain Joe Root held firm on 34 as Yorkshire stumbled to 4-69.
Lawrence went into one-day mode for Essex at Chelmsford, smashing 16 fours and six sixes off Derbyshire's attack in his 133 ball-knock, while Tom Westley also made a ton and former England captain Sir Alastair Cook 58.
Following a first day washout, Essex racked up 3-412 declared with captain Westley and Lawrence putting on 221 for the third wicket.
Lawrence then claimed the wicket of Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman as Derbyshire ended a forgettable day on 3-35.
Kyle Abbott took 6-44 as Middlesex were all out for 172 at Lord's, where Hampshire slipped to 3-9, then 5-67, before James Vince's half-century steadied proceedings.
Australian Associated Press
