Charlie Allison struck 140 in the first innings of Essex Second XI’s season-opener against Kent, but the Eagles were defeated by nine wickets at the County Ground in Beckenham.
Allison’s mammoth knock, which came in 193 balls and contained 20 fours and one six, underpinned an Essex first innings total of 296-4 declared.
Nick Browne also chipped in with 60, while Aaron Beard made 56, before Kent replied with 197-7 declared in their first innings, giving the visitors a lead of 99.
Luc Benkenstein was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/32 from seven overs, with Jamal Richards returning 2/35 and Beard and Ben Allison picking up one scalp apiece.
The Eagles then continued the theme of declarations throughout the game, posting 175-5 in their second innings before captain Browne called his troops in.
The skipper made it twin fifties with a fluent 52, while Benkenstein hit a 46-ball 48 and Noah Thain added 34 from 33.
That set Kent 275 to win, though it was a target they achieved with relative ease, losing just one wicket as both Jaydn Denly and Ekansh Singh tonned up to see the win confirmed in the 56th over.
Kent took 17 points from the game to Essex’s three, with the second-string Eagles’ next assignment taking the form of a trip to Portland Road in Birmingham to face Warwickshire.
The Eagles Have Landed: The 2024 Vitality Blast at The Cloud County Ground
Fresh from a Finals Day appearance last summer, Essex return to shortest-format action in Chelmsford from Sunday 02 June.
Demand remains exceptionally high, and there is now just one Friday night fixture with availability remaining, the visit of Glamorgan to The Cloud County Ground on 07 June.
With the Eagles aiming to go one better in 2024, there is no time to waste to snap up your seats.
Sunday 02 June, 4:00pm: Essex v Middlesex – buy here
Friday 07 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Glamorgan – buy here (LAST FEW TICKETS)
Friday 14 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Sussex Sharks – SOLD OUT
Thursday 20 June, 7:00pm: Essex v Hampshire Hawks – buy here
Friday 05 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Somerset – SOLD OUT
Thursday 11 July, 7:00pm: Essex v Kent Spitfires – buy here
Sunday 14 July, 2:30pm: Essex v Surrey – buy here
