Kent bowler Fred Klaassen was pleased with his three wickets on day two of the Spitfire’s latest Bob Willis Trophy match, and he wants for more.

Klaassen took three wickets for 19 runs from 9.5 overs in the day as Kent restricted Middlesex to 123/6 with two days left in the game.

From just two previous first-class outings, the Netherlands seamer had just two wickets to his name at a measly average of 85, but that will shoot right down following the conclusion of this match.

Perhaps predominantly a white ball bowler and a surprise inclusion for the tie, Klaassen has impressed, and is hungry for more first-class cricket going forward.

“I 100% have ambitions to become a regular in all formats, definitely” said the 27-year-old. “I feel red ball cricket is the heart of county cricket over here in the UK.

“With Cooky [Simon Cook, Kent bowling coach] coming in, we have worked hard on the red ball stuff. It is the consistency – I lack the experience compared to white ball, so I have been working on the red ball stuff too.

“We have got such a competitive group of bowlers. It is hard to push for a spot so you do have to take your opportunity and I am glad I got a couple of wickets today.

“There are no other left armers in our squad, so I am happy to take that role, but the other boys are going to keep taking wickets, so I have got to match them and I have now got to just keep trying to take my opportunity when it is given.

“Our red ball side did so well last year, particularly the bowlers. You have Darren [Stevens], Podders [Harry Podmore] and Milnesey [Matt Milnes] who all took 50 wickets each and Grant [Stewart] swings the ball well. It is not an easy lineup to break into.

“The rotation of bowlers has allowed me an opportunity and I am happy to contribute.”

Klaassen can be pleased with his three wickets from the rain-impacted second day. He had opener and former England international Sam Robson caught by Daniel Bell-Drummond at short mid-wicket, before taking a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Martin Andersson.

He then ended the day with the wicket of John Simpson after an excellent catch from wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson.

“There was a little bit of extra bounce, which is always nice for a bowler” Klaassen said. “There was a bit in it for all the bowlers which was great, and it is a pity we didn’t get longer out there.

“Coming in and out does make it a bit difficult as a bowler, but we managed to stay on it pretty well and keep them under pressure all day, so we are pretty happy as a group.”

By many, this has been deemed a must-win game for Kent if they are to have a chance of qualifying qualify for the final of the Trophy because of the defeat in their opening game at Essex.

With just two days left, they will have to get a move on if they are to get a victory here, but Klaassen insisted the game is still there for the taking.

He said: “We have four more wickets to get so it would be nice to get them before lunch and set a total as quick as possible. It is always a bit more difficult when you lose a few days, but we will push hard and see how it comes out.

“We will take it game by game. We go out to win every game so I suppose every game is a must win from that point of view.

“We are in a pretty good position now. The weather unfortunately has not been kind to us but hopefully we will get the result on the last day.”