Matt Walker is backing Kent fast bowler Matt Coles to earn an England call-up this winter.

Kent’s assistant coach rates Coles as one of the best players around and says the county will do all they can to push his claims for international honours.

Coles took 10 wickets in Kent’s LV= County Championship, Division 2 win at Leicestershire this week. He’s the second leading wicket-taker in the country with 52 victims.

Walker accepts an Ashes call-up is unrealistic but believes Coles deserves a chance this winter.

He said: “I know you talk up your own but we know what he can do. There are no shortcuts to England recognition. He’s just got to keep doing what he’s doing and force his way into the selectors’ thinking.

“Everyone rates him and before long, people will be talking about him because he’s been doing it all season. If he finishes the season as well, who knows what might happen?
“He might get some trip with the ECB. I think he’s grown up a lot this year.

“He’s had his problems off the field but in terms of cricket and as a bloke, you couldn’t ask for someone better in the dressing room.

“I’m sure England have their squad players for the Ashes and one-dayers and to break in at this stage is going to be pretty tricky.

“I’d imagine if anything’s going to happen it will be towards the end of the season when the squads are discussed for Lions trips or England trips.

“To me, he’s one of the best bowlers in the country and I include Division 1 bowlers.
“He has good one-day attributes, he bashes the ball out of the park and he’s one of the best slip catchers around.

“He’s got everything, including a heart as big as anyone’s and he’s one of the most talented young cricketers in the country.

“If England want to talk to us about him, we’ll push his case as far as we can.”