First full season exceeds expectations

Young Kent bowler Matt Hunn admits he didn’t have the season he expected – it was much better. He returned the best bowling figures of his fledgling First-Class career (5-99) against Australia in the Ashes Tour opener at Canterbury in June. Paceman Hunn also made his T20 and one-day debuts – not bad for someone whose goal at the start of the season was simply to break into the championship side. No wonder Hunn, 21, was delighted with how his season eventually panned out. He said: “I just didn’t expect to play in all three formats in what really was my first full season, it surprised me. “You could say that it all went well for me after that game against Australia. I got into in the championship side and made my limited overs debuts. It was certainly a great second half of the season. “When I made the championship side, I played in the final seven games of the campaign – it felt great to be a regular. “Doing that can only be a good experience for someone as young as me because it exposes you to so many different situations. “The key now is that I learn from those experiences and take it forward next season. I want to play regularly, regardless of what format it is in.” Hunn is wasting no time in starting his preparations for next year but it will be with a bat in his hand rather than a ball when he gets back in the nets soon. Hunn, who plays his club cricket for Sandwich Town, registered his highest FirstClass score, 23 not out in the LV= County Championship, Division 2 clash at Derbyshire in August. Now he’s determined to strengthen that part of his game. He said: “A lot of bowlers don’t like batting but I honestly do. “But it’s been a case of all or nothing this season – I either get runs or I don’t. I want to improve on that and know there is a lot of work to be done.” As for highlights from Hunn’s season, the fivewicket haul against Australia, which included the scalp of then captain Michael Clarke, ranks right up there. He also delivered his ball of the season in that game – which was his first of the season – a swinging delivery that uprooted the off-stump of Mitchell Marsh. He said: “I was happy with that one because it did a player of his calibre.”