England's record Test run-scorer made 125 in Essex's first innings and looked set for his 66th first-class century before he edged Wiaan Mulder to slip.

Essex had reached 181-6 in their second innings when rain prevented any more play after tea at Chelmsford.

The hosts will start the final day, which should be dry, leading by 312.

Although Cook has scored 65 first-class hundreds in 294 matches, including 33 for England, the left-hander has never made two in the same game. The 34-year-old has now scored a hundred and been out in the 90s four times in his 16-year career.

Jaik Mickleburgh was the last batsman to score back-to-back centuries for the county against Cambridge MCC University in 2016.

Nick Browne, who is opening with Cook, scored 132 not out and an unbeaten 100 against Derbyshire in 2014, while club legend Graham Gooch did it five times.

Cook was the only batsman to push on after Essex began their second innings at the start of play.

Browne, Tom Westley, Dan Lawrence and captain Ryan ten Doeschate all went after getting starts in bowler-friendly conditions.

Seamer Harry Podmore (2-48) was the pick of the Kent bowlers, removing Lawrence and Ravi Bopara in consecutive balls, the second a superb one-handed catch at slip by Zak Crawley.