KENT crashed to a fifth straight T20 defeat last night in Chelmsford as Essex Eagles became the latest side this summer to get the better of the struggling Spitfires.

Essex had already beaten their neighbours on Friday and completed a quick-fire double on Monday thanks to an emphatic 62-run success.

Visitors Kent won the toss and opted to put Essex into bat first, but they ended up being set a target of 180-8, with James Tredwell (3-19) and Mitchell Claydon (3-29) claiming a trio of wickets apiece.

The response from the Spitfires started positively enough with opening duo Sam Northeast (32) and Rob Key (17) forming a useful partnership.

But a devastating spell which saw Kent go from 87-4 to 95-8 ultimately did for their chances and they were bowled out with more than two overs to spare.

Whilst Kent’s previous two losses had been reasonably close, they barely put up a challenge at home to Essex on Friday and away to Middlesex at Uxbridge on Sunday.

Despite two prior home defeats, there was still a good turnout for the home encounter with the Essex Eagles.

By the end of the game, Spitfire supporters on the popular Happy Hill had started to question their team’s selection policy.

The recruitment of South African Vernon Philander suggested Kent were going to take the tournament seriously but resting dependable Mark Davies and the experienced Geraint Jones caused eyebrows to be raised.

Tredwell and Adam Riley both recorded good figures but Owais Shah’s 59 from 38 balls allowed the Eagles to post a competitive 164 for 6.

Only Darren Stevens (19 off 10) and Alex Blake (19 off 12) scored at a rate higher than one a ball and the Spitfires were bowled out for 117 off just 17.3 overs. Jones replaced Ben Harmison against Middlesex on Sunday but it made little difference.

The Panthers invited the Spitfires to bat first and the visitors struggled to 140 for 6, Blake top scoring with 37 not out.

Adam Rossington’s quick fire 74 showed how far below par Kent’s score was.

Joe Denly (33no) and Dawid Malan (31no) saw the Panthers home by nine wickets off just 15.4 overs.

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