Jackson thrust into the firing line for senior debut

Former England Under-19 wicketkeeper Callum Jackson has no idea if he’s made his only appearance for Kent after being handed a senior debut against Essex in the Specsavers County Championship on Sunday. The former Sussex youngster replaced Sam Billings in the side for the Division 2 game at Chelmsford with Billings on England international duty ahead of the eight-wicket T20 win against Sri Lanka at the Ageas Bowl on Tuesday. With deputy keeper Adam Rouse sidelined with a finger injury sustained at Cardiff last month, Jackson was called up after several appearances for Kent’s 2nd XI this summer, and a sub appearance in that game at Glamorgan. The 21-year-old said: “I went up to Cardiff to finish the championship match and with Sam Billings going away and with Rousey’s finger as it was, in the back of my mind I thought there might be a good chance I might be involved in this game. “It wasn’t until after the 2nds game at Beckenham on Thursday that I found out I would be playing.” Jackson was thrust into action, keeping to fellow debutant Kagiso Rabada, though – like Billings – he had previously faced the South African paceman before. Jackson recalled: “I played against KG on a five-week England under-19 tour three years ago and we remembered facing each other. “We played a Test and five one-dayers and I did quite well and averaged 45 against them. He was quick then but he’s put on a couple of yards since then too.” He added: “The first time I kept to him was in the warm-up at Chelmsford, he only goes off a short run-up in the warm-up so I had to move back once the game started. He gets so much carry but also a wobble when it goes past the bat.” Jackson made a championshipbest 19 runs in the first innings before he was trapped by Ryan ten Doeschate but scored just four in the second innings. He admitted; “I was feeling quite good when got out in the first innings to one which I thought was going down leg – even Tendo thought I was a bit unlucky. “Then I got one that stayed low and slow and I got a leading edge to it in the second.” Kent assistant coach Matt Walker said: “He’s done well for us and kept well. “I think he’s made a good impression and hopefully he’ll get his chance off the back of this.” Jackson added: “It’s my goal to be playing regularly in first team cricket – that’s where I want to be. “I’m not sure what is in store for Billings for the rest of the summer and how long Rousey might be out but of course I’d like to play again if the opportunity arose. “I do know Sam is back for the T20s this week and I don’t know what the future holds and where my next game will be. It has been like that all season.”

‘It wasn’t until after the 2nds game that I found out I would be playing’

Picture: Debbie Knight Keeper Callum Jackson made his full Kent debut against Essex