Daniel Bell-Drummond says Kent's eight-wicket win over Somerset was a brilliant start to the new NatWest T20 Blast season.

The 22-year-old Kent opener had a starring role in the victory, hitting a competition-best 83 not-out, in a record opening stand of 150 with Joe Denly who hit 75.

The pair went past the previous best of 119, made by him and former skipper Rob Key against Essex at Canterbury two years ago, and was the best for any Kent wicket in T20 cricket.

Bell Drummond said: "It was a brilliant way to get started in the tournament.

"The crowd loved it, it was a great atmosphere, and hopefully there is plenty to more to come, but it was very encouraging."

"We got off to a good start in all facets of the game, apart from the first 15 overs which we weren't too happy about, but Fabian Cowdrey started the rot, and the bowlers came back at the death.

" It was a really flat wicket and they did a brilliant job keeping Somerset to under 200."

Bell Drummond survived with his score on 34 when he was dropped off a skier by Michael Leask at square-leg.

He said: "That's cricket isnt it? It was a pretty big moment in the game, and I tried to cash in.

"I never thought about getting a hundred, I just looked at it ball by ball.

"It was my first T20 innings of the season, and I didn't really know what to expect, so just wanted to keep building.

"I went to go hard from the start, the powerplay went well for me, but I never tried to look too far ahead.

"Joe and I know how each other were going to play, we batted very nicely, and it was a brilliant partnership."

Bell-Drummond said all the Kent boys were delighted to see David Griffiths return to T20 action after a long lay-off, and take a wicket with his first delivery of the night.

"He has worked so hard during the winter, and everyone is so happy for the way he has come back.

"He has kept his pace up, and still bowling very quickly.

"It was brilliant that he got a wicket first ball, and bowled very well at the end."

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