HARDUS Viljoen marked his Kent debut with five wickets as Gloucestershire struggled to 221 all out on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship match at Bristol.

The 27-year-old South African paceman claimed the key scalp of Michael Klinger and followed up by sending back the home side’s two top scorers in Phil Mustard (38) and Hamish Marshall (58) on his way to figures of five for 55 from 22.2 overs.

Gloucestershire were 67 for four at one stage after an uncontested toss before Mustard and Marshall added 82, the latter battling his way to a painstaking 166-ball half-century.

But it was Kent’s day as run-scoring never looked easy on a pitch tinged with green, despite bright sunshine.

Darren Stevens claimed two for 14 from his first nine overs as the visitors enjoyed a profitable morning, removing openers Chris Dent, for a duck, and Gareth Roderick (23) after being handed the new ball from the Pavilion End.

Viljoen then pinned Klinger lbw for ten and when Will Gidman struck on his return to the ground where he made his name by bowling Will Tavare for 20, attempting an unwise pull shot on a pitch offering variable bounce, Gloucestershire were in a hole.

Marshall and Mustard launched a determined fightback either side of lunch, which was taken at 84 for four. They batted with care throughout the afternoon session and by tea the home side were back in the game at 145 for four.

The final session saw Marshall dropped by Stevens and first slip off Viljoen on 37 before reaching a half-century that occupied three hours and 40 minutes.

Jack Taylor raised the tempo by taking a six and 2 fours off an over from James Tredwell, but on 24 he gave a tame catch to short mid-wicket to give Mitchell Claydon a wicket and Gloucestershire were 189 for six.

The new ball was then taken and Viljoen used it to good effect, trapping Marshall leg before with a ball that nipped back off the seam and bowling David Payne with a full, fast delivery.

At 208 for eight, Gloucestershire’s innings was in tatters and the impressive Viljoen, signed for Kent’s last four Championship fixtures, had his tail up.

Liam Norwell, who suffered concussion batting in the previous game against Sussex, was subjected to some short deliveries and succumbed when well caught at short-leg by Sean Dickson off Matt Coles.

The innings and the day ended when Viljoen completed his five-for, Stevens taking a comfortable catch at first slip to dismiss Craig Miles for nine.