Middlesex 322 for 5 (Morgan 161, Compton 131) beat Kent 242 (Silverwood 3-26) by 80 runs
Scorecard

Eoin Morgan demonstrated the confidence, versatility and skill that last month earned his maiden England call-up, as he and Nick Compton combined in a massive third-wicket stand of 277 in a comprehensive 80-run trouncing of Kent at Canterbury. Both men made centuries, but Morgan's 161 from 136 balls was the outstanding performance, as he struck 19 fours and two sixes to set up an unassailable 50-over total of 322 for 5.

Middlesex's performance was a far cry from their efforts in their last two matches of the Friends Provident Trophy, in which they had been bowled out for 65 by Somerset and 133 by Kent in the previous fixture between these two sides at Southgate. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, a similar scenario was briefly threatened when they slumped to 31 for 2, with Phil Hughes losing his off stump to Wayne Parnell and Owais Shah, in his first county innings of the season, nicking Azhar Mahmood to the keeper for a second-ball duck, but thereafter Kent were barely given a look-in.

In blustery, swirling conditions, fielding was no fun as Morgan and Compton combined to give Kent the run-around. Both men improvised cheekily, with the left-handed Morgan showing a classy off-side repertoire as well as a series of impressive reverse-sweeps, while Compton stepped inside the line regularly to flick Kent's seamers over fine leg during a fine innings of 131 from 127 balls, his second and highest limited-overs century.

Morgan had one let-off when he was badly dropped by Mahmood at deep midwicket, but in the end he attempted one improvisation too many, as he flicked Mahmood off his toes and into the juggling hands of Parnell, running back from short third-man. Two runs later, Compton was beaten by Joe Denly's direct hit from the covers, and there was just time for Neil Dexter to give James Tredwell a late wicket.

In reply, Kent's hopes of staying with a demanding run-rate were given an early set-back when Rob Key edged a fine off-stump delivery from Chris Silverwood through to the keeper for 2. Silverwood then added the scalp of Martin van Jaarsveld for 11, before Denly made it 40 for 3 when he fell to Steven Finn for 23. Geraint Jones and Justin Kemp did their best to keep the contest alive with a pair of half-centuries, but the result was never in doubt