Matt Walker admits he was emotional as he saw Sean Dickson surpass his post-war Kent record innings and etch his name into club folklore.

Head coach Walker admitted Dickson’s near nine-hour knock of 318 against Northants at Beckenham brought back memories of his own 275 against Somerset at Canterbury in 1996.

He said: “It was an amazing thing to be a part of, even in the smallest way. I was so pleased for him. I don’t mind saying it was emotional to see him go through the milestones.”

He added: “There were some similarities because I was inexperienced in terms of my career and Sean is in only his second year of First Class cricket.

“No of course I did not begrudge him beating my record in any way at all - plus, my record score at Canterbury’s still there at least.

“My score has been there to beat for 21 years, that’s a very long time. Some great players have come through the doors over the years, a lot better players than me, and I have to say I’m surprised it hasn’t gone before now - Rob Key in particular was close on a couple of occasions.”

Dickson surpassed Kent greats like Bill Ashdown, Frank Woolley and Les Ames, aswell as Walker, on his way to a triple century.

Walker recalled: “I was very unaware back then and very naive. I barely knew who Frank Woolley was, let alone his records and that I was passing them. At the time it was all a bit of a blur.

“Sean was very aware of various milestones - Adam Rouse sat down at breakfast and gave him a pop quiz of the top five scores.”

He added: “As a professional, individual records are great and I’m sure this one will last for a very long time.

“He’s put himself up there with absolute legends of the game, but sport moves on. For me it’s great to see a young player up there with the second highest score and we were all up there willing him on to get the top-score.”

Dickson has struggled for form in the Championship of late, with four ducks in his five previous matches and Walker added: “For me the best this is it shows him what he is capable of.

“He’s had a real tough patch but he has kept positive. He’s very dogmatic and confident in his ability but sometimes when you’re in a sticky spell you can’t help but wonder when the next big one is coming from.

“For him to make runs and bat in the way he did, and then to just go on and on was something special.”

He added: “I’m actually not that surprised that it is him who has gone on to (break records). He has all the skills and you could see his concentration and determination throughout his innings. He showed at Derby last year (Dickson’s previous FC best 207) that he can go on and on.

“He’s learned his lessons. He’s gotten out for 60 or 70 in the past but as a batsman if you get a chance to convert it into a big score then you have to take it. It’s the really good players who go on and make the real big scores.

“He’s got a long way to go as a cricketer, he is still learning the game and he’ll go through patches like he has, but he’s evolving as a cricketer and that’s why we’ve backed him and stuck with him and now he’s proven what he can do.

"That’s the most rewarding part of coaching.”