Sussex suffered a second consecutive defeat in the NatWest T20 Blast as they went down by ten runs against Kent at Canterbury.

A record first wicket stand of 97 between Tom Latham and Joe Denly helped Kent set a total of 166-6 in the face of some superb bowling from Tymal Mills.

Ross Taylor gave Sussex a glimmer of hope with a 32-ball 49 but they fell short on 156-4 to remain fourth in the South Group.

Latham and Denly provided the platform for Kent’s innings after winning the toss and electing to bat.

The Spitfires lost their way after Denly holed out at deep extra cover for 48 off the bowling of Chris Nash with Latham following in the next over for 48.

Alex Blake – who made an unbeaten 36 off 22 balls – and Sam Billings – 22 off 13 – gave the innings some late momentum to the innings.

Mills was comfortably the pick of the bowlers with 1-15 but Nash (1-16 from three overs) and debutant Nuwad Kulasekara (1-28) also impressed.

Sussex’s innings was twice held up by the glare from the setting sun and the Sharks struggled to build up any head of steam.

Kasigo Rabada got rid of openers Nash and Luke Wright cheaply and when Taylor was trapped lbw by Fabien Cowdrey one short of his half century their challenged petered out meekly.