Kent v Essex: Owais Shah in the runs at Canterbury

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Owais Shah made an unbeaten 83 as Essex closed on 186-4 on a rain-hit opening day against Kent at Canterbury.

Jaik Mickleburgh fell in the first over for a third-ball duck and Greg Smith made only 15 as the visitors slipped to 19-2 early on.

But Shah put on 55 with Gautam Gambhir (36) and a so-far unbroken 69 for the fifth wicket with Ben Foakes (38no).

Promotion outsiders Essex were closing in on their first batting bonus point when rain forced an early close.

VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX

91热爆 Radio Kent's Peter Guise:

"A sedate day's cricket played mostly under natural light enhanced by floodlighting.

"After the early inroads made by Kent, the Essex batsmen dug in, scored when they could and kept Kent's bowlers at bay.

"Progress may not have been fast paced but it was a real contest.

"Unfortunately, for those watching, further progress could not be made once the artificial light had been deemed to have taken over from the natural light."