Fynn Hudson-Prentice says that his passion for the game is greater than ever after making his first-class debut for Derbyshire.
The all-rounder was signed by the club after impressing while on trial with the second XI, where he produced numerous eye-catching performances in the opening months of the season.
His first appearance for the club came in the 50-over Tour Fixture against Australia A, before making his Specsavers County Championship debut for Derbyshire in the draw with Middlesex.
Hudson-Prentice made an impressive 99 in the first innings of that match, before taking a wicket with his maiden first-class delivery for Derbyshire on Day Three.
Having worked his way back from the disappointment of being released by Sussex in 2016, the 23-year-old says that he is determined to take the opportunity that he has been given by his new club.
“This is a second chance to show who I am and what I can be as a cricketer so I really want to push on and try and impress,” said Hudson-Prentice.
“That hunger and passion for the game has become larger over the last two years, especially with the work I’ve had to put in to get back to this stage of having a contract again.
“So to be able to say I’m here now and ready to keep pushing on and improving is a good testament to all the people who have worked with me over the last 18 months so now is the time to back the belief and faith that has been put in me by Derbyshire.”
By signing for Derbyshire, Hudson-Prentice has also been able to link-up with Steve Kirby, who he had previously worked with while playing for the MCC Young Cricketers Programme.
The all-rounder is delighted to be able to work with Kirby on a daily-basis again, and is keen to repay the faith shown in him by the Derbyshire coaching staff.
“I met Steve at the end of the 2017 season and played a couple of games for the MCC Young Cricketers, firstly to see if they wanted me to join their programme and secondly to see if I still wanted to be a professional cricketer,” he said.
“In 2018, I played for the Young Cricketers and again at the start of this season. I played for them against Derbyshire and joined up with them after that in the second team.
“Steve has had a massive influence on me being here I assume. He was the one who got in touch and asked if I wanted to come up and trial and I bit his hand off.”
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