How Fynn is liking step-up as a ‘senior’
FYNN Hudson-prentice says he has enjoyed the opportunity to help out the younger members of Derbyshire’s squad, while he continues to develop himself.
The all-rounder only signed for the club in 2019 and is still only 24 himself but he quickly became a key member of the side after a string of impressive performances in the County Championship and Vitality Blast.
None topped a sensational performance in the opening Bob Willis Trophy four-day game away to Nottinghamshire.
Chasing an unlikely 365 to win, Derbyshire looked down and out at 192-5 before Hudson-prentice, in at number seven, battled his way to a brilliant 91 not out, sharing partnerships with Matt Critchley, Matty Mckiernan and Michael Cohen to ease the county to a three-wicket win with one ball to spare.
It was their highest successful run chase against a county and the highest by any side against Notts at Trent Bridge.
A thigh injury then disrupted much of the rest of the campaign for Hudson-prentice – but could not dim the ebullient all-rounder’s enthusiasm.
Despite only having 15 first-class appearances to his name, Hudson-prentice was one of the more experienced bowlers deployed in the Bob Willis Trophy, with the likes of Sam Conners, Cohen and Ben Aitchison all getting their first run of red ball games for the club.
Having already seen ups and downs in his career, he says he wants to use what he has learnt to help other players develop, as well as to utilise the experience around him to improve his own game.
“I still see myself as one of the more inexperienced players,” he said.
“But when you look at our team, there were times where Luis Reece was our most experienced pace bowler and then there was me.
“I just trying to use what I’ve learnt in a pretty short career to help out and I’m always here if the younger lads want to talk about anything.
“I’ve had some pretty tough moments in my career already, so if I can help them in any way to not worry or overthink anything, I’ll do that.
“Being around lads like Billy Godleman, Wayne Madsen and Luis, they have vast experience in first-class cricket, so I look to tap into them as often as I can, and if there’s anything I can feed back to the younger players, or those just joining the club, I will.
“There’s so much potential in the group and the squad that we’re building is growing.
“I wouldn’t class myself as experienced but I’ve seen things already and if I can use that to help them develop then I’ll do that.”