KENT CRICKET SEASON PREVIEW
Pceman Matt Hunn says Kent fans have yet to see the best of him – especially if he can pick up tips from overseas star Kagiso Rabada.
Hunn, 22, admitted he hit the high point of his career last summer, claiming 5-99 – all top-six batsmen – against the Australian tourists, although he also endured the disappointment of missing out on Kent’s Championship side until the latter stages of the season.
He was limited to 18 wickets at an average of 31 in his 10 innings with the ball in four-day cricket, although he did make his T20 debut against Glamorgan at Tunbridge Wells in July and played the first five one-day games of his career in August.
Hunn enjoyed a close-season trip to South Africa with the MCC, claiming 2-34 against an Invitational XI in Durban in December and then played club cricket in Australia before heading back to join Kent’s pre-season preparations.
He admitted: “The Australia game was the biggest high of my career.
“I’ll be struggling to top that but hopefully one day I can. It was a special day and something I’ll always remember.
“My goal this year is to make an impact in all formats. I made my T20 debut last year which was good and I’d like to push on with that. I’d love to start but have to bowl well and see where I come with that.
“I’d love to start the red-ball season. I didn’t get the chance last year and was a little disappointed, as you would be. It’s been coming out well in pre-season and hopefully I can push for my name on the team sheet in the first game.
“I don’t think you’ve seen the best of me yet. Hopefully, I have a few more years of improvement in me.”
Hunn also revealed the Kent bowling ranks were relishing the challenge of competing for playing time, which was bringing the best out of each other.
He said: “As a squad we’re fighting for places. The main thing is to push each other on to bowl better. You need a good squad to push in all three formats.
“It’s a long season – six months of hard cricket. You need a good, experienced squad and that’s what we’ve got here.”
The competition for places is set to intensify in June when South Africa pace star Rabada arrives for a six-week stint and Hunn expects to benefit from his arrival.
He said: “I’ll definitely learn from him – at the age of 20 to be playing international cricket you’ve got to be something special.
“He’ll have a huge impact on the team, especially mid-season when we need it and everyone has a few months under their belt, it will be good to get a fresh face in.
“You can watch him and try and pick up certain aspects – the little things, the one percenters, make a big difference. It will be good to watch him and try and pick up some tips.
“He’s only 20 but he’s had a lot of experience, having played at a T20 World Cup and international cricket – a lot more experience than a lot of our lads, so it will be good to learn from him.”