South African Rudolph plundered 146, his fourth century of the season, while 20-year-old Lyth again demonstrated his potential with an elegant 68.

Their contributions, plus a rugged 52 from Anthony McGrath during a long partnership with Rudolph, guided Yorkshire to 409-7 by the close with a healthy lead of 182.

The cloud cover which had assisted the seamers on the first day of the match had given way to sunnier conditions yesterday when Yorkshire resumed on 85-2 with McGrath and Rudolph's third-wicket stand already worth 47.

There was little in the Kent pace attack to worry either batsman and after McGrath had taken consecutive boundaries off Robbie Joseph he put down anchor, allowing Rudolph to take up the main scoring role.

Rudolph moved briskly to 40 when he became the first Yorkshire batsman to complete 1,000 Championship runs for the season and the stand went into three figures in 33 overs.

Kent restricted progress to some extent by bowling wide of off-stump but when off-spinner James Tredwell entered the attack Rudolph straight drove him for six and then ran two to register his century off 146 balls with 15 fours and a six.

He gave his only chance in the same over, however, as Tredwell failed to hold on to a straight forward return catch.

McGrath's half-century used up 19 more deliveries than Rudolph had taken for his century and he was out for 52 with five boundaries shortly after lunch, Ryan McLaren finding the edge of his bat to give wicket-keeper, Geraint Jones, a catch.

Rudolph, who hit 129 against Kent at Canterbury earlier in the season and who also made a double ton against Warwickshire at Scarborough last year, advanced majestically to 146 when he was out to a rare false shot.

Attempting to cover drive a ball from Joseph he dragged it into his stumps after receiving 221 balls and stroking 21 fours and a six.

Gerard Brophy was caught by Martin van Jaarsveld at second slip off Darren Stevens at 303 but Lyth continued to play some fine ground strokes until, on 68, he spoiled his chances of a century by attempting a flamboyant drive at Martin Saggers, only to be caught behind.

He had faced 132 deliveries and hit 11 fours.

Amjad Khan claimed Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's wicket to leave Yorkshire on 373-7, but Adil Rashid and Darren Gough saw up the 400 together in the 127th over to ensure maximum batting bonus points.

l Durham eyed top spot in the Championship as they closed in on victory over Hampshire in a low-scoring encounter at Basingstoke.

Hampshire could manage only 96 in reply to the visitors' first-innings 156 as Mark Davies continued to rip through their order.

Davies added three more wickets to the five he claimed on Wednesday without conceding to finish with career-best figures of 8-24.

But Durham were shot out for 179 second time around, James Tomlinson taking 5-62. This left Hampshire needing 240 to win and they finished the day limply on 108-5.