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Kent spinner Marcus O'Riordan delighted to have been handed his Vitality Blast T20 debut against Surrey

Marcus O'Riordan said he tried to treat his T20 debut against Surrey as just another game.

The young Kent offspinner found himself in the spotlight playing before a sellout crowd at Canterbury just weeks after signing his first professional contract with the county.

O'Riordan bowled the seventh and ninth overs, conceding 13 runs and showing good control and composure against Surrey Test pair Mark Stoneman and Sam Curran.

Kent's Marcus O'Riordan bowled two overs for 13 on his T20 debut against Surrey Picture: Ady Kerry
Kent's Marcus O'Riordan bowled two overs for 13 on his T20 debut against Surrey Picture: Ady Kerry

It was back to the Kent League on Saturday playing for Tunbridge Wells as they lost to HSBC, but the 21-year-old hopes the Surrey game won't be his last taste of the big time.

The former Tonbridge School pupil said: "It was amazing to be out there and be playing for Kent.

"I've come thorough all the age groups and the academy so to make my debut, I was delighted.

"A lot of the boys said it's just another game of cricket, just with a few more people watching.

"I found out I was playing just before, I had a feeling. During training during the week I was told I would probably be playing.

"I was in the squad before (against Hampshire) but obviously with Mohammad Nabi now being away, it opened an opportunity for a spinner I suppose to come in and fortunately it was me.

"I came on at a good time, just after the power play, to two left-handers, so it was nice to settle in there.

"Seeing the back of Aaron Finch was probably a bonus, but that's what will happen, if I'm going to play more I've got to bowl at these good players and back myself.

O'Riordan, who first represented Kent as an under-13, said he was delighted to have signed his contract – he caught the eye in June taking 4-43 as Kent's Second XI team beat Durham in the final of the Second XI Trophy at Beckenham.

He explained: "From where I was at the start of the season to now, it's all happened very quickly and I'm very pleased.

"It was always the aim (to earn a contract) but no if you'd have asked me at the start of the season I would have said I was very much an outside chance, but I came into 2nd XI cricket and did quite well there.

"I mean squad changes have meant there has been more of an opportunity for me."

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