Sam Billings has revealed Kent Spitfires initially tried to sign Jake Lintott six years ago.
The 33-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, who can also bat, has joined on loan from Warwickshire until the end of the T20 Blast.
He took two wickets on his Spitfires debut in last Friday’s win over Middlesex at Lord’s.
“We tried to sign him, I think it was six years ago, when he had been in the wilderness,” said Billings.
“He chose to go to Warwickshire, but we spoke to him a couple of times on Zoom.
“It was pretty close at that point, so I joked to him that finally it’s happened!
“But T20 experience counts for a lot – someone who’s done it in The Hundred, someone who’s done it a lot all around the world.
“I always like signing players who need the opportunity. He’s obviously been told he’s not required at Warwickshire. So, he’s just keen to go and have an opportunity and play cricket.
“As soon as you sign someone like that, a character like that, he really wants to prove and repay you in kind. It’s great to have him on board and I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
Lintott also adds another voice to the dressing room, and Billings is excited to see what he brings to the squad.
“Obviously, his skill set is unique as he turns the ball both ways,” said the Kent skipper.
“But he’s a great competitor. He’s brilliant in the field and in that quarter-final in 2021, he got 40-odd off 20 balls against us so he can bat as well.
“He balances our side out brilliantly. Having a character like that in the dressing room, that’s probably what we’ve lacked in the last couple of years.
“They get fed up of me shouting, but it’s nice to have someone else who brings a bit of energy, especially in the ring.”
South African batting all-rounder Dian Forrester arrived in the UK last Friday and watched the win at Lord’s before making his debut in Monday’s seven-wicket win against Sussex at Canterbury.
Forrester took 3-25 in four overs and then hit 35 not out off just 18 balls to guide Spitfires to victory.
Billings originally expected Forrester to feature as an overseas signing in the County Championship, but moved swiftly to bring him over for the T20 Blast after fellow South African Senuran Muthusamy was ruled out with a knee injury.
“I was trying to get him over for some four-day cricket,” explained Billings.
“Justin Kemp was my coach in the PSL (Pakistan Super League) and Dian was in our team there and I saw it first-hand.
“I think he struck at 175 in the competition. An incredibly clean striker of a ball and something we’ve missed a lot, a left-hander in that middle order – that’s one area we’ve really struggled with.
“Losing Muthusamy was a big blow, of course. We know what a quality cricketer he is, but this is just the nature of the world now.
“Cricket changes so quickly. Gone are the days when you can sign a player a year out and know that he’ll be there.
“Dian’s on that trajectory. I thought he’d be in the IPL next year, but it’s obviously happened a bit quicker for everyone. He’s that good that he will obviously be a great asset for us.
“The experience that he will get playing county cricket over here, I think it benefits any young player hugely. It’s an opportunity which benefits everyone brilliantly.
“For all the negativity I get, I think that’s one positive. I’ve got a decent contacts book that I can call people up pretty quickly and get things done, especially in T20 cricket. It’s great to have him on board.”
Kent host Essex at Canterbury tomorrow (Friday) night and then visit Surrey at The Oval on Sunday afternoon.
