Somerset won by 122 runs

KENT were found wanting for the second time in 48 hours when they slumped to a dismal 112-run defeat to Somerset in a rain-ruined opening Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy tie of the summer.

Played out under grey skies and, for much of Kent’s innings in steady drizzle, Spitfires crashed to 51 for five inside 13 overs as they replied to Somerset’s massive 50-over total of 338 for five based around a career-best 158 from England’s Marcus Trescothick.

The game was eventually called off through rain with Kent on 93 for five, but hopelessly behind on the run-rate.

Where Kent’s attack had struggled to find a decent line and length let alone any measure of control, so Somerset kept it tight with naggingly accurate seam from Andrew Caddick and South African Charl Willoughby.

Darren Stevens (25) flailed across the line to leg before to the former England seamer then Martin van Jaarsveld lost his off stump to his fellow countryman after missing an attempted drive.

Worse followed when, on 51, Kent lost three wickets inside six balls without addition to the score.

Neil Dexter aimed an inside-out drive over extra cover but missed to lose leg stump to Caddick, who squeezed the next ball through bat and pad to find a way through to the left-hander’s off stump.

Four balls later Willoughby found Rob Key’s outside edge for a catch behind to send the Kent captain on his way and his side’s chances went with him.

Somerset’s charge had been led by England opener Marcus Trescothick who, after a disappointing start to the championship season, scored 158 – the best limited overs innings of his career.

The tall left-hander, who returned home from England’s winter tour of India for personal reasons, treated Kent’s wayward attack with disdain by clubbing 20 fours and three sixes in his stay.

He drove savagely in the early stages then, when Kent dropped short later on, he pulled and hooked mightily to reach his maiden one-day 150 with a paddled six off James Tredwell from only his 130th ball.

Trescothick feature in Somerset’s competition record opening stand of 177 in 31 overs with Matthew Wood beating the club’s previous best of 156 by Mark Lathwell and Trescothick against Oxfordshire 12 years ago.

The opening pair both had a couple of let-offs as Spitfires downed stinging half-chances, but otherwise batted impeccably with Wood chipping in with 72 from 93 balls before James Tredwell, the most economical of the home bowlers, held on the a clipped return catch.

Trescothick then featured in a second wicket stand of 86 with Cameron White, whose relaxed, upright stance, lack of helmet and near baseball style added 35 from 38 balls before Walker’s tumbling catch at cover accounted for him.

Trescothick was finally out four overs from the end when he missed an attempted paddle against Saggers as three late wickets ensured Somerset fell seven short of posting their competition best score against Kent.

The dismal result, coupled with Kent’s innings defeat to Durham in the county championship on Saturday, means new skipper Key will have his work cut out to lift morale ahead of Wednesday’s next four-day game at Lord’s against Middlesex.

Kent will be bolstered by the arrival of overseas all-rounder Justin Kemp and Amjad Khan will hope to return after a slight hamstring strain.