Kent batsman Jack Leaning has branded his electric start to the 2021 Vitality Blast season “just my time” as he continues to impress for the Spitfires.

Leaning has scored 213 runs so far in the competition at an average of 53.25, including an unbeaten 81 against Gloucestershire and a quickfire 42 from 17 balls last time out versus Essex.

Confidence and comfort seem the key to Leaning’s success. Speaking after Kent’s record-breaking 67-run win on Sunday, he said: “It is just good fun to be honest. I am enjoying T20 at the moment – it is great to free your arms.

“A lot of us know our games really well which helps when you get in tough situations or in good situation too. I think the lads are full of confidence which helps in T20 too and if we carry on as we are we should go OK.”

Leaning’s striking with the ball against Essex came after Zak Crawley and Daniel Bell-Drummond had put on 145 from 11.5 overs for the first wicket in the game, allowing the likes of Joe Denly, Alex Blake and Leaning himself to take a few risks.

For Leaning, those risks came off. 

“Going in off the back of a partnership like that is probably the easiest time to bat in T20,” he said. “I gave myself a couple of balls to get used to the pitch and then tried to make the most of the over into the short side. Luckily, he missed his yorkers a couple of times and I got hold of him.

“The boys got off to a flier and it is our job coming in after that to carry that on. It is really nice to be given the opportunity to bat at four – to move up the order one place is a nice confidence booster. I did ask at the start to get up there, but the boys have played so well it has been tough to get in. Luckily I have my chance now and hopefully I can take it on.”

Kent posted 236/3 from their 20 overs against their rivals, their highest ever total in the format. They then restricted Essex to 169 all out to register their fifth win from six games and keep their spot at the top of the South Group.

“I had a chat with Michael Yardy on the side saying if we got 160 or 170 it would have been a competitive score,” Leaning said. “But I think it was one of those wickets that took a little bit of time to get in in. 

“You saw the boys at the start take a little bit of time to get going and once they did they never stopped – it was simply outstanding from those two. The way they complemented each other and the way they took down the short side and used the long side was nothing short of outstanding.

“Everyone is enjoying each other’s success and we are full of confidence. When you get a group like that the stars align, and it is no coincidence we are going out on the pitch and playing really well. We had a little blip against Somerset at Taunton but other than that we have been exceptional.”

Leaning has also shone with the ball for Kent this year, taking four wickets at an average of 11.25, including a career best 3/15 against Essex, and he’s relishing the chance to play a role with the ball as well as the bat.

“I have done a lot of work on my bowling over the last couple of years and it is nice to be given the trust and opportunity to bowl in games,” he said. “Deebz (captain Daniel Bell-Drummond) has done that with me and given me the confidence that he will put me against their best players, and when the situation is right, he will always put me on. Luckily, I have been able to reward him.”

One of Leaning’s wickets against Essex was an exceptional caught and bowled to dismiss New Zealand international Jimmy Neesham. Leaning got down well to take a low catch, but didn’t want any credit for his efforts.

His father, former football Andy Leaning, does, however.

“I probably made it look a lot harder than it actually was if I am being totally honest!” the Kent man joked. “I thought he had hit it a lot harder. It only just stuck in my hand – I can’t take much credit because if I had just stood there and caught it normally, I would have been fine!

“My dad sent me a message just before saying I got it from his genes, but knowing him, he would have parried it round the corner rather than keep hold of it! Luckily, I managed to catch it.”

Kent will continue their T20 campaign on Tuesday evening when they travel west to take on Gloucestershire. 

Traditionally, Kent have struggled in Bristol, but Leaning has never played there before.

“The boys will do their prep early,” he said. “I have no demons from playing at Bristol because it is the only ground I have not played at! Hopefully I can go there and carry on my form and the boys will be ready to go.

“I don’t think we need to do anything different. We have not trained or set out to play any different. We have a good template as a team of how we want to play, and each individual knows their game plan. 

“T20 can get really complicated sometimes but when everyone knows their individual role and has an idea of what is going on with the opposition it simplifies everything. 

“I am really pleased for the boys because they have put so much work in, it is rewarding to see it on the pitch.”