New Kent signing James Logan has admitted “it means a lot” to have signed and be playing in the T20 Blast for the Spitfires.

Logan was added to Kent’s squad to face Hampshire Hawks on Wednesday evening as late as midday on gameday but delivered convincing figures of 1/14 from three overs on debut for the county.

“It has happened so quick,” said Logan, speaking after Kent’s 38-run opening day win. “I signed a short-term contract and played on Wednesday – it was a crazy few days. 

“I got a call from Paul Downton asking if I wanted to play some second team cricket, so I came down on Thursday, played at Hove, went back home, played club cricket on Saturday, and then travelled back down here, played Monday and Tuesday and after the game on Tuesday I got told that I was in the side for Wednesday.

“I came into the ground at 12 on Wednesday and got all the paperwork done. I left at one and came back at four for the team time, so it was a crazy day having only signed in the afternoon.

“If someone had told me last week or this weekend that this would be happening, I would have called them crazy. I am just enjoying the moment and I can’t wait to look at my phone and speak to my family. It has been unreal.”

Few could have known what to expect from the 23-year-old on career T20 debut as well as Kent debut, but he bowled brilliantly and deserved his impressive figures.

Logan admitted the nerves were there, but that he soon got into the swing of things.

He said: “I was just worried about getting that first ball out of the way and after that I felt into the game and tried to get into a battle. It went alright and I couldn’t have wished for any better with the win as well.

“I was nervous before the game and whilst we were batting, thinking about bowling, but as soon as the first ball was out of the way I was thinking about other stuff like what I wanted to bowl, so the nerves went to the back of my mind.

“I am new to the group and the way the lads prepared for this game was top notch. It went to plan and hopefully we can keep the momentum going into the competition.”

23-year-old Logan found himself bowling in tandem with Kent legend Darren Stevens, a man almost double his age who became the second player to reach 100 T20 wickets for Kent when he dismissed Australian international D’Arcy Short on Wednesday. 

The two bowled together for seven straight overs between overs six and 13, and put the squeeze on the visitors, conceding just 37 runs and taking three wickets between them.

Logan couldn’t believe the situation he found himself in – but it helped him enjoy the occasion all the more.

“When he came on it went up a few notches in the crowd” Logan laughed. “I couldn’t imagine what it would be like with a full crowd. He is a cult hero here so bowling in tandem with him was crazy and very enjoyable.

“I am currently just in a Travelodge down the road! I think I am moving soon – there are some flats in the ground, but I think I am in the Travelodge for the time being.”

Logan’s wicket was that of former Kent captain Sam Northeast, who he had caught by Jordan Cox at long-off for six. The emotion in the spinner’s celebration was clear to see.

“I turned around and thought it was dropping short, but Coxy got in quick with an unbelievable catch,” he said. “It was an amazing moment and one I will never forget.”

It is not easy for a cricketer when they are released by a county, and that’s what happened to Logan at the end of 2020 when he was let go by Yorkshire. He worked hard to get back into the game though, and that’s now paying off.

He has initially joined Kent on a short-term two-month deal but has set his eyes on a longer contract down the line.

“It has been a disappointing year leaving Yorkshire and the professional game and it has been a tough winter not being able to practice much because of everything going on,” he said. “A moment like this I have worked hard for, and I have tried to keep in shape and keep my training up and it has come round for a moment like this.

“I left Yorkshire at the end of last year and have had a couple of trials this year. I have come down to Kent and obviously it has gone well so far, so hopefully I can keep impressing the coaches and hopefully it can turn into something longer down the line.”

An injury and forced retirement to Imran Qayyum has opened the door for Logan, and he doesn’t intend on letting it shut.

He said: “It is unfortunate what happened with Imran, and I hope he gets the speediest recovery he can get, but it has given me an opportunity which I am thankful for. Hopefully I can just keep bowling well and I am hoping it can turn into something longer in the future.”

Logan will be in action again when Kent host Middlesex in their second game of the tournament on Friday.