Return of imports boost Lancaster Park’s premiership push

English all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice will be looking to continue his good form with the bat in his third week back for Lancaster Park in the Metro Premiership.

In his two innings so far this season, Hudson-Prentice scored 79 off 49 balls against Heathcote and a more steady 45 against Sydenham last week, both in wins for Lancaster Park.

Lancaster Park will now play East Shirley on Saturday.

Hudson-Prentice, who turned out for Lancaster Park in 2018 and 2019, plays for Sussex in the County Championship.

He has been joined at Lancaster Park by fellow Englishman Will Harby from Kent’s second XI. Harby also played for Park last season.

The pair will play for the remainder of the one-day competition and one round of the two-day competition before returning to the UK for their pre-season.

Lancaster Park skipper Angus Hamilton said the pair add a lot to the team.

“It’s awesome, especially with them both being all-rounders. It certainly helps with the balance of the team quite a lot.”

Hudson-Prentice has taken 85 first-class wickets and scored 2286 runs in county cricket – with a high score of 99, in 2019 while playing for Derbyshire.

“I got a ball on the hip that I tried to punish over square leg. And I just hit it straight up in the air,” he said of just missing his century.

“The beans were going a little bit. I was a bit anxious to get off 99. It was a pretty average shot.

“That was five-and-a-half years ago now, and I still haven’t managed to get over the line (for a century).”

He said it was far better to be playing club cricket and training with the Canterbury squad than training indoors during the English winter.

“It’s just nice to get away from freezing temperatures in the UK at the moment,” he said.

“I think back home, it’s about minus two, so it has been good to get away from that and spend some time in the sun.

“(And) it’s just nice to get the opportunity at (Lancaster Park), they’ve been really good to me.”

Lancaster Park are unbeaten and on track to contest the finals.

“The last time I was over here and played for Lancaster Park (in 2019), we won the 50-over competition, so that’s the goal. It’s always fun winning stuff,” Hudson-Prentice said.

They will meet East Shirley, who currently sit in sixth – their only points coming from a washout – in the fourth round of the one-day competition this weekend.