Haggett making most of moment

All-rounder Calum Haggett is the latest member of the Kent squad to seize his chance to shine and no-one is happier than his coach.

With Kiwi paceman Adam Milne still struggling with a thigh strain, Haggett has been thrown into the T20 spotlight and has responded well.

The 26-year-old took 2-27 from four overs against Middlesex including the big wicket of Brendon Mccullum and 1-8 from his one over at Hove.

Haggett’s call-up follows that of 24-yearold spinner Imran Qayyum who started ahead of James Tredwell against Sussex and Matt Walker says both he and Haggett have acquitted themselves well.

Head coach Walker said: “It’s great, we want to see some younger players pushing their cases.

“It wasn’t quite the story at the start of the year but there has been some good productivity coming through from the second team in their T20 games.

“Imran has taken his chance and now Calum has come in and they’re doing well. Calum’s played the last two games and not let himself down at all.

“He bowled nicely at Richmond and for that one over at Hove, which was a really important over. He got a wicket (Ross Taylor) and did a fine job.

“You need a squad, it’s rare to go through any campaign in any format having the same 11 players playing every single game.

“There are always going to be opportunities, with injuries and the like, and what you want is players ready to come in and do a job and that’s what those two have done, which is pleasing for us to see.”

Walker revealed that left-armer Imran had been picked ahead of Tredwell at Hove because it was felt he posed more of a wicket taking threat.

He said: “We’re lucky to have two good spinners, both of whom have bowled well but you’ve got to pick the side you think is going to win the game.

“James and Imran both offer slightly different skill sets but we went with Imran on this occasion because we felt as a left-armer he was more of a wicket taking threat, being able to get the ball spinning away from the bat rather than into it.”

Walker did not rule out playing both spinners in future T20 games but only if the wicket was conducive.