Marcus Stoinis enjoyed batting with Sam Billings in Kent’s Vitality Blast win over Essex Eagles on Thursday night.

Australian all-rounder Stoinis and the Spitfires captain Billings put on 106 runs for the fourth wicket to help their side to a 28 run victory and return to the top of the south group.

It is around six years since the pair last batted together.

Stoinis said: “You are always under the pump when you join a new team and you want to help out as much as you can. So it was good to put in a semi-good performance.

“I didn’t know it was a hundred so that’s bloody good! We just tried to build a partnership and take it as deep as we can.

“We tried to keep each other calm. We’ve known each other for a while now so know how the other thinks.

“It was important for us to get to those last four overs and let go.

“We haven’t batted together for a long time. I’m living with him here and we were talking about how we were going to bat out in the middle today.

“The last time would have been in the second team about six years ago.”

Stoinis made 47 from 33 balls before being run out in the final over. His innings included a six that cleared the Frank Woolley Stand.

Adam Milne then took 4-15 with the ball to help Kent ease to a 28 run victory but that margin could have been greater if the home side had held on to their catches.

Stoinis said: “I hit one the ball before and wasn’t sure so went with my gut and threw the bat at it (to clear the Frank Woolley).

“It could have been a lot easier in the end if we had fielded a bit better. Maybe because we’ve all had a couple of weeks off but we will be alright as we do lots of fielding practice in training.

“Adam Milne is a very good T20 bowler. He was hitting around 90mph and is a great bloke.

“It’s a really good vibe in the dressing room. The coaches and Sam have created a good atmosphere.

“You want to help as much as you can and at the halfway point in the tournament we are in a good spot.”

Kent Spitfires are back in action on Friday at Hampshire who are second bottom in the south group.