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Go back 12 months and Harry Podmore was the new kid on the block in the Kent dressing room.
The promising right-arm seamer had just signed from Middlesex where he had found opportunities limited after taking 2-20 on his debut as a teenager against Essex in a T20 game in 2014.
Fast forward to the present day and the 24-year-old has become an integral part of the Kent attack, with his total of 43 first class wickets at 23.30 in 2018 bettered only by New Zealand talisman Matt Henry.
Podmore, who played all 14 championship games last summer, admitted things had gone far better than he could have hoped.
He said: “I was always available when I was at Middlesex but with the bowlers they had there I couldn’t see myself getting in so to come here and play every game was wonderful for me.
“I felt like I settled in really quickly, the boys made me feel very welcome and it’s really nice to come to a club where you feel valued.
“I’ve got a really good relationship with Walks (head coach Matt Walker) and I think he assessed quite early what sort of character I am. He’s given me a lot of backing and I think, as a player, that’s all you can ask for.
“I was surprised at the faith they showed in me with the amount of games I played.
“It was a very competitive squad here with the bowlers they had and I was the new guy coming in.
“No one is guaranteed to play, you just have to train hard in pre-season and try to put your hand up to get picked.
“I think as far as first seasons go the only thing missing was a trophy but I’m being greedy if I’m asking for that.”
Podmore, who scored 285 championship runs at 19, has set his sights on playing all three formats this season, but he’s taking nothing for granted after the close-season captures of Matt Milnes and Fred Klaassen.
He said: “I don’t necessarily set myself a wicket target. I think I’m more of a tighter bowler and if I take wickets I take wickets, I just try to build pressure.
“Luckily things went my way last year but if they don’t this year then I’m still going to try my best to build some pressure with maiden overs and dot balls.
“(To play) all three formats is obviously the aim, but it’s going to be demanding because there’s a lot of cricket in the schedule.
“The exciting thing is that there’s competition for places across all three formats, there are some good skills out there on show and you’re going to have to be on top of your game to get selected.”
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