Kent bowler Matt Milnes is hoping to become a regular in the Spitfire’s T20 side after impressing with the ball in his team’s 2020 T20 Blast opener on Thursday.

Milnes took three wickets for 19 runs from his four overs and was the standout of the bowlers on the day, and now, after making only one T20 appearance in his career previously, he wants to make up for lost time.

“I 100% want to become a regular” said Milnes, speaking after Kent’s game against Hampshire was washed out.

“Last year did not quite go to plan. We had some pretty experienced T20 bowlers come in and I had a bit of an injury, so I think I never really got any rhythm going with that and I could never really practice my skills, so that was a bit of a frustrating period for me.

“But this year I have got a lot more going for me in that I am bowling a lot of overs and I feel fresh, so I am hoping I can dive in and keep continuing that form.”

Milnes has had a successful week in Kent colours, picking up seven wickets in their Bob Willis Trophy win at Surrey before his three-wicket haul on Thursday.

The seamer is enjoying a purple patch, and he has no plans of letting his form slip any time soon.

“I feel like I have been bowling pretty well the last three or four weeks and not quite got the rewards” he said.

“I am glad that the wickets have come this week and I have probably felt more out of rhythm this week than I did last week – it is a daft game, but I will take it.

“I sometimes feel worse when I do not bowl. I have had about seven days bowling now, so I feel good, I feel fit and I am just happy to keep on going.”

The Kent dressing room was left frustrated with the no result against Hampshire. The hosts had restricted their visitors to 139/6 from their 20 overs, and Zak Crawley and Daniel Bell-Drummond had helped the Spitfires dash to 52/0 from four overs and one ball before the rain came, leaving the game just five balls short of a result.

“Everyone was a little bit gutted” Milnes admitted. “Zak and Deebz did a terrific job – that was how we spoke about them going out and playing, and they both looking in very good touch which is positive going forward.

“We have got our blueprint now and we hit that today. It is just a case of trying to deliver that – obviously we will have off days, that is natural, but hopefully we can keep to this blueprint and get our first win on Saturday against Middlesex.

“We have laid down a good marker of how we want to go about it. We have got some key players out at the minute which opens opportunities for others but, we have got a very talented bunch, so whilst were inexperienced, it is also very exciting.

“I think we have every chance of going a long way in this competition.”