Despite less than 10 overs being bowled on day 1, Kent lost five wickets in prime bowling conditions away at Essex.

With play not beginning until 2.45pm, Essex won the toss and chose to bowl, understandably given the conditions. Kent handed a first-class debut to seam bowler Ivan Thomas, in for Matt Coles, away on England Lions duty, whilst Essex named England internationals Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara in their starting XI.

It took just two deliveries of playing under the floodlights at Chelmsford for the home side to make a breakthrough in seaming and swinging conditions, former Kent man David Masters the bowler as Scott Newman edged behind to wicket-keeper James Foster for a second-ball duck.

Kent were soon 3-2, Ben Harmison trapped lbw by Charl Willoughby for 2, with Rob Key following in similar fashion for 1 soon after, the captain back in the pavilion with his side three down with just eight runs on the board.

That was soon to be four down, though – Mike Powell out without scoring, second ball, swinging his bat at a wide one from Willoughby, Foster taking his second catch behind the stumps.

And 8-4 soon became 9-5, Brendan Nash, century maker in Kent’s last championship match at home to Yorkshire, becoming Willoughby’s fourth victim, as he was bowled for 6 in the seventh over.

Experienced pair Darren Stevens and Geraint Jones now came together at the crease, and were able to see out the rest of the day – albeit just another two and a half overs – before the rain began to come down again and the players were brought off, with play called off completely for the day shortly before 5pm.

Kent will resume tomorrow on 17-5, and will hope for a sharp turn in their fortunes after today’s action. Having gone unbeaten so far this season and sitting pretty at the top of the second division, they will have quite a challenge on their hands to keep that record intact.

The forecast for the remainder of the game, however, is poor. Having been denied two possible victories by the weather already this season, maybe it’s about time the weather helped Kent out for once.

They may well need it.

Essex side: Godleman, Cook, Petersen, Bopara, Westley, Pettini, Smith, Foster, Masters, Mills, Willoughby.

Kent side: Newman, Key, Harmison, Nash, Powell, Stevens, Jones, Tredwell, Davies, Thomas, Shreck.

Close of play on Day 1: Kent are 17-5 (Nash 6, Willoughby 4-8, Masters 1-9) against Essex.