KENT made a poor start to their 154th Canterbury Week match with Sussex by losing skipper David Fulton to only the sixth over of the game.

Having won the toss and elected to bat in steamy, oppressive conditions, Fulton had reached just four when he played around a good-length ball from James Kirtley to go leg before and make it 15 for one.

Fellow opener Ed Smith appeared in impressive form, notching five boundaries on his way to 30 but, with his score on 31, he received a life when Murray Goodwin downed a comfortable gully chance off the unfortunate Kirtley.

Having dropped Michael Carberry, Kent promoted Alex Loudon to bat three but the 23-year-old appeared nervous in his new role, playing and missing several times.

He and Smith took Kent on to 57 for one after 14 overs and the first bowling change with the introduction of Robin Martin-Jenkins.

Kent went into the game without England players Geraint Jones and Rob Key, as well as fast bowlers Martin Saggers (knee) and Ian Butler (thigh).

Antiga-born Rob Joseph, 22, was given a home debut and will form an inexperienced new ball attack with England Under-19 seamer Simon Cusden.