Fabian Cowdrey says after a winter of “copping it” for being an Englishman Down Under in an Ashes year, he can’t wait to get back and establish himself in the Kent side at the start of next season.

The 20-year-old is spending four months playing grade cricket for the Sunshine Coast Scorchers before returning to Canterbury at the start of March but has wasted little time in writing his name in the Brisbane club’s record books.

The former Tonbridge School pupil said: “I started off with a 50-odd in my first game and since then it’s all been about trying to capitalise on my starts. I have had a few 30s and 40s alongside a nice 188.”

The 144-ball innings earlier this month was a record for the Scorchers and saw Cowdrey usurp his new vice-captain at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Sam Northeast.

The opener made 139 not out while playing for the Scorchers last winter which was, until Cowdrey, the club’s highest score by an overseas player.

Cowdrey said: “It was all a bit surreal really. Sam’s name was top of the board and now mine goes up there too.”

Scorchers coach Brad Murphy said Cowdrey had “gone ballistic” as he held a fine catch and took a wicket with his first ball of left-arm spin after amassing the huge score to help his side to a 173-run win over Valley at Ashgrove.

Cowdrey said: “It’s all gone well so far and it’s proved the right decision to come out here.

“Brad’s a real character and we can learn a lot from a different style of coaching to back at Kent.

“Since Calum Haggett and I have been out here, we have not lost a game. There is a lot of talent in the squad and it’s a great experience.”

Cowdrey has two compulsory training sessions a week but trains voluntarily on three other days, with games at the weekend.

He said: “Gym work is important. I want to bat longer and maintain my concentration and physical fitness is important for that.

“I’m working hard on my fielding and bowling, as well as batting. I want to strengthen the various strings to my bow and the harder I practice, the better I get.

“I want to come back in good shape ready to fight for a place in the first-team for the first game of the season in April.”

Cowdrey is the son of former England captain Chris Cowdrey and grandson of the late Lord Cowdrey, who played in six England tours to Australia.

Fabian will be attending the Boxing Day Test at the MCG in Melbourne this week and admitted he had been on the receiving end of some banter.

He said: “I have copped it a bit but then they’ve been the ones copping it for a long time now.

“The pitches are dry and bouncy out here and I have faced a couple of quick bowlers but nobody quite like Mitchell Johnson.”

He added: “I think it’s important to take time off too and see the place you’re in. It’s all part of the learning process and experience of playing overseas.”

On his return from Australia, Cowdrey will switch from playing club cricket for Lordswood to return to Sevenoaks Vine. He said: “It’s great to be coming back to my home club. Hopefully, next year we can go for the Premier Division title.”