Published: 30/07/2010 12:37:59 | Modified: 30/07/2010 12:42:00
Author: Bruce Talbot | All Contributors
Hatchett man is a smiling assassin
Sussex's new bowling discovery Luke Hatchett insists the last thing he is worried about is whether he earns himself a contract.
The 20-year-old returned figures of 5 for 47 in only his second Championship match including a devastating burst of four wickets in six balls to wreck Leicestershire’s first innings.
Hatchett is not on the professional staff but earned a debut after impressing coach Mark Robinson in the second team.
He made a strong impression at Uxbridge last week in less favourable conditions for swing bowling when he took two wickets and he kept his place even though the more experienced Jimmy Anyon was available after injury.
When he made his first-class debut against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s in May he took all four of his wickets with away-swingers, but his natural ball is one that moves into the right-handers.
In-swingers accounted for all of his wickets on Thursday including Will Jefferson with his first ball. To complete a good day he also ran out Tom New with a direct hit.
Hatchett said: “You can’t keep the smile off my face at the moment! I am so happy with how I played.
“I was struggling down the hill and getting more frustrated. (Coach) Mark Robinson suggested I switched ends, I was strong at the crease and got some good rhythm and it was great to see the stumps flying. It is what I have worked so hard to get.
“I’m just going to keep playing as hard as I can and if I get a contract that will be lovely. But I’m not looking beyond when I bowl in the second innings to be honest.”
Hatchett has been around the Sussex scene for a while. He was a member of their Academy but only really kicked on during the winter which he spent in South Australia, playing club cricket in Adelaide and working at Darren Lehmann’s Academy.
He added: “I didn’t really make the progress I wanted last year in the seconds but going to Australia really helped. My natural ball is an in-swinger so I was surprised to get wickets with away-swingers at Fenner’s. It must have just been the conditions there that week.”
Not surprisingly, Hatchett has sought advice from Jason Lewry who took 621 wickets and was arguably the best county left-armer of his generation before retiring last season.
“He has helped me a lot,” said Hatchett. “If I can have any sort of career like Jase had I will be very happy.”