Kent Spitfires' Rob Key is dismissed for one Picture: Barry Goodwin

Kent Spitfires suffered their third straight Friends Provident t20 defeat on Friday night.

The Spitfires were on the wrong end of a stunning century by new Middlesex Panthers captain Adam Gilchrist.

The former Australian Test batsman and one-day specialist cracked a 47-ball hundred just hours after he was made Middlesex’s new skipper following Shaun Udal’s decision to stand down.

Kent were put into bat by Gilchrist, who took the opening catch to dismiss his counterpart Rob Key for just one in the second over.

Joe Denly showed signs of a return to form in his 44 and Martin van Jaarsveld scored 50 as Spitfires accelerated their score. But Udal and former Kent all-rounder Neil Dexter claimed their scalps in quick succession.

Geraint Jones (39) and Darren Stevens (34) both made solid contributions in a five-over stand worth 58 but three late wickets fell to leave the home side on 183-6 from their 20 overs.

An all-Australian opening partnership for the Panthers was ended when David Warner went for 17, caught by Matt Coles off the bowling of Azhar Mahmood.

But Gilchrist teamed up with Dexter and put on 104 in less than 10 overs.

James Tredwell went for 44 from just three overs while Sri Lankan spinner Malinga Bandara bowled two overs for 15.

Dexter holed out and Gilchrist and Eoin Morgan both went in quick succession, leaving Owais Shah and Dawid Malan to guide their home with one over to spare.

Kent, who travelled to Gloucestershire yesterday (Sunday), make the trip to Surrey on Friday before hosting Somerset at Beckenham on Sunday.