It has been a frantic few days for all involved at Kent Cricket Club after a COVID case in the camp forced the T20 squad to isolate, but second team bowler Jas Singh has grabbed the opportunity to perform in the first team with two hands. 

Singh, just 18 years old, took 4/51 in Kent’s bowling innings as Sussex were reduced to 181 all out, and playing a first-class game was an opportunity he didn’t expected to come his way so soon.

“I never expected this,” said Singh, speaking after day two of the match. “On Saturday night I got the call up and I came down on Sunday to play. 

“It is really exciting – I was at home with my parents and then all of a sudden I got the call to come down early in the morning. At first, I thought I had to isolate or something, but I am excited to be here.”

Singh came on second change to the bowling attack with the Spitfires yet to take a wicket, but the fast bowler took four of them – including that of Australian test batsman Travis Head – to contribute to an impressive bowling performance from the home side.

He insisted he just tried to keep it simple, and it more than paid off.

“Everyone was really helpful in the field, supporting me, and told me to do what I have been doing – keep the basics simple.

“I was nervous before I was about to bowl the first ball but once I got the first ball out of the way I was fine, and once I got the first wicket it filled me with confidence. Everyone was happy for me.

“I thought to hit the off stump and keep the basics simple as I have always been doing in the twos and club cricket from a young age. I feel like I bowled well, got some good wickets and it was all good.”

Kent closed day two on 122/7 with the bat, 59 runs behind Sussex’s total with two days left in the game.

Singh is hoping for a result, despite some hostile weather throughout the match so far.

“Everyone has been a bit bored because of the rain, on and off,” he said. But it would be good to have a few days and have a result in the next two days.

“I will bat 11 after two more wickets and it will be good to get out there and maybe get a few runs.

“Hopefully we can get a result even though the rain has affected it, and hopefully it will be good.”

If Singh impresses second innings too, his career may progress faster than he ever expected. He backs himself, but knows he has time on his side.

“We will just focus on this game at the minute and take it one step at a time,” he said. “It has been very early. I never expected this – I am so happy.

“I didn’t expect to play as much second team cricket as I have. In terms of how I have done in it and as far as how I have performed, it has been good and a good experience. But hopefully I can break into the first team and prove something.

“I couldn’t really sleep Saturday to be fair. I slept late, but as soon as I woke up, I was excited and ready to go.

“I got good figures; good wickets and it was a good performance. I was really pleased with it.”