THE loss of two wickets in as many overs took the gloss off an otherwise excellent start for Kent on day one of their Frizzell Championship clash with Sussex in Canterbury.

An excellent second wicket stand worth 197 between Ed Smith and Loudon was the feature, but Loudon’s demise was soon followed by a first-ball dismissal for Michael Bevan on his home debut as Kent reached 218 for three.

Smith’s excellent run of form continued with his 134-ball century containing 18 fours and though Loudon played more circumspectly, his contribution of 55 was equally valuable.

The tall right-hander batted for 177 minutes before edging an ambitious drive against Luke Wright to give Richard Montgomerie a regulation slip catch.

In the next over and just two runs later, Australian left-hander Bevan lost his balance to a full-length in-swinger from James Kirtley and went leg before without troubling the scorers.

Smith continued on his merry way, reaching a season’s best 140 after 53 overs of the Kent first innings.

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

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.