A STUNNING opening stand between Essex big-hitters Ronnie Irani and Will Jefferson launched the Eagles to an impressive 45 over total of 267 for six.

The pair posted 196 for the first wicket inside 33 overs with a barrage of clubbing that left Kent’s opening bowlers shell-shocked and nursing sorry figures.

Host skipper Irani made the most of a shirtfront pitch at the Castle Park Ground in Colchester by batting first and hammering half a dozen sixes and as many fours in his 98 from 111-balls.

The six feet 10 inch Jefferson kept him company with 97 from 94 balls that included 11 fours and a brace of sixes.

Matt Dennington’s eighth overs cost 60, and Michael Bevan’s three went for 19 until he split a finger in trying to stop a blistering Irani drive, but at least Alex Loudon tasted some success with four for 48.

It needed a run out to end the run spree and a slice of luck for Kent as Irani, in wanting a single to mid-wicket, slipped after being sent back and was left floundering on the floor when Matt Walker’s throw hit the stumps.

Jefferson’s fun came to an end when he missed another attempted big hit to go leg before to Loudon in the 35th over.

Having scored in excess of a run a ball, Eagles lost the momentum somewhat once the field pushed out but even so Kent’s plan to bowl spinners in tandem hardly stemmed the flow.

Andrew Flower (27) and Andre Adams (17) briefly flourished, until James Tredwell took a regulation catch at deep mid-wicket to account for the former while David Fulton’s stunning running catch at mid-on accounted for Adams.