Kent batsman Jack Leaning admitted the Spitfires were below their best after they suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Somerset in their opening match of the 2022 Vitality Blast.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Kent posted 162/6, a total Somerset chased down with five balls to spare for the loss of just two wickets.

Leaning top scored for Kent with an impressive 72 not out from 43 balls, but his efforts were in vain as his side’s defence of their title got off to a losing start.

“We just weren’t quite there in all assets tonight,” said the 28-year-old. “I think they played really well with the bat and bowled really well up front and it’s always going to be tricky when the other team does that.

“I think if anything the pitch got a little bit better. It became really wet and dewy towards the end of the game, so I think we’ll probably look at that and assess what we did first next time.“

Kent enjoyed success last year batting first and defending scores, but conditions got the better of them on Wednesday as the ball got harder to grip and the pitch easier to bat on.

“It surprised us a bit to be honest,” said Leaning. “It looked as the T20 wickets normally do.

“They’re usually pretty good, pretty flat with nice pace, but I think with the rain we’ve had over the last few days it got a little bit damp, a little bit tacky, and it was a little bit two paced with the new ball.

“Naturally we like to bat first and set a total and defend it. It’s just conditions on a one-off night. That might not change anything, but we may take it into consideration if it becomes quite similar.

“It certainly got better as the innings went on and the ball got softer, but they definitely had the best of the conditions.”

The former Yorkshireman continued his impressive form from last year’s competition, hitting five sixes after coming in in the seventh over.

His innings helped Kent to a competitive total at the halfway stage.

He said: “I think giving myself a chance helps. Obviously the wicket was pretty tricky – we thought it probably wasn’t going to be a 160/170 wicket – so I gave myself a few balls at the start and as long as I’m there at the end, I know I’ll be able to catch up. Luckily it happened a bit earlier tonight; I got a few balls in my slot and got off and rolling.”

Kent will be looking to get their first win of the season when the host rivals Essex on Friday, and Leaning is confident that his team will be on the board come the end of the game.

Former Essex man Ryan ten Doeschate is now Kent’s batting coach, too, which could give the Spitfires an added advantage.

“It should be good,” said Leaning. “We’ve had the wool over them the last couple of years and hopefully it will be a good way to bounce back on Friday in front of a full house.

“We’ve got an insider now so he can tell us all their secrets and where they usually bowl at us and how they look to score off us, so it should be a good night.

“Naturally you want to get off to a good start, but I don’t think we are a million miles away. Just a couple of pointers with bat and ball, but there are 14 games in the competition and one game doesn’t make or break your season. I’m sure it will be a different story on Friday night.”