Derbyshire and former Sussex bowler Hudson-Prentice: 'It would be ridiculous not to want to play Test cricket'

Fynn Hudson-Prentice celebrates hitting the wining runs for Derbyshire against Nottinghamshire in the Bob Willis Trophy last season. Picture: Getty Images

The Derbyshire medium-fast bowler is hoping to fire the Falcons to success next season and play his way into England contention in the process.

But Hudson-Prentice, who was on the Sussex staff for two years (2015-16), knows he must improve his consistency and technical abilities if those dreams are to come true.

“I’m 25 now and I’d like to improve technically as a batsman and then play a few seasons of county cricket where I can demonstrate real consistency,” he said in an interview with the club’s official website.

“I want to stay fit, be available for selection for every game, then produce the goods when I get selected.

“It would be ridiculous not to be ambitious enough to play Test cricket – and I am that ambitious – plus I’d like to help Derbyshire win a trophy or get into the top division. A couple of consistent seasons and who knows where that might take me, but full fitness and playing regularly for Derbyshire is at the heart of my current ambitions.”

Hudson-Prentice, who went to Bede’s School, has become a key figure in the Derbyshire line-up since arriving at the club and played a shining role in their run to the T20 Finals Day in 2019. “I was gutted that we lost, obviously, but it was amazing arriving at the ground and seeing such a huge crowd, and your own fans all gathered together,” he said.

“It was a great experience but disappointing considering how well we had played before finals day. The important thing is to get there again and do better next time.”

Hudson-Prentice, who cites team-mate Luis Reece as a source of inspiration, is now eager to let his competitive side shine next season.

“I like a bit of competition,” he added. “I like to be challenged and I play better when it gets tough out there.

“I know how to bat and bowl – we all do at county level – but it’s doing it when the pressure is on and coming through at difficult times.

“Ask most bowlers to nail a yorker in the nets, and they can. It’s a different matter in the final over of a T20 game in front of 15,000 at Trent Bridge. That’s when you need the temperament, the character.”