Wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Robinson admitted it felt great to be back playing competitive cricket again as he scored a century on the first day of Kent's two-day friendly against Essex.

Kent's players recently returned from furlough leave and warmed up for the shortened 2020 domestic season on Monday with the first day of the behind closed doors practice game at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury.

Robinson and teenager Jordan Cox were the pick of Kent's batsmen after Essex won the toss and elected to field first.

The pair came together with Kent 85-3 and shared a 97-run stand before 19-year-old Cox was bowled by Jamie Porter for 52.

But Robinson went onto reach a ton before he retired not out towards the end of a rain-interrupted day's play. Kent were all out for 258, minutes before the close of play.

"It was nice to be back playing again," said Robinson.

"There were a few nerves actually for the first time in a while.

"Obviously, September last year would have been the last time that I batted (in a competitive match).

"So I had a few butterflies to start with, but I soon settled the nerves after lunch and started getting back into a nice rhythm."

Robinson says it does feel unusual to be playing a pre-season friendly in July with the professional game resuming later than usual this summer due to the coronavirus crisis.

He said: "It is a bit odd.

"It still almost has that April feel to it, although it, obviously, is not….. It’s August next week!

"The wickets are completely different to what they normally are in pre-season.

"They are normally a bit more nippy and a bit greener, but now, they are a bit drier and there is not as much pace in it. But it’s been good.

"We have been training hard. We have done all we can to be ready for the next couple of weeks, so I think that we are in a pretty good spot."

Kent will take on 2019 County Champions Essex in their opening game in the Bob Willis Trophy this Saturday, as the 2020 domestic season gets under way with all 18 first-class counties taking part in three regional groups.

Robinson believes it will be an unpredictable campaign this year.

The 21-year-old added: "Everyone will have a different side to last year.

"There will be minimal overseas players and there’s so many people in this England bubble now which will make a lot of difference because a lot of teams won’t actually have their star players.

"We are missing Zak (Crawley), Joe (Denly) and Bill (Sam Billings).

"But that just puts a bit more pressure on our batting line-up and a bit more onus on that. People have got to step up.

"But I think we have the side to do that this year.

"We have the strength-in-depth and that showed with Jordan stepping up and scoring 50 as a 19-year-old.

"I think that’s a good sign for us going forward."

Bowling coach Simon Cook is in charge of Kent's side for their practice match this week, with head coach Matt Walker on England duty.

The match is being live streamed via Kent's website.

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