All-rounder Joey Evison thinks he developed as a bowler during winter spell in Australia ahead of his first full season at Kent

All-rounder Joey Evison feels he developed as a bowler over the winter as he looks ahead to his first full season at Kent.

Evison didn’t take long to find his feet last term with his new side, playing a big role in their Royal London One-Day Cup Final triumph over Lancashire.

The 21-year-old was then on loan from Nottinghamshire and struck 97 and took 2-34 at Trent Bridge - his old stomping ground.

He will now begin a three-year deal with Matt Walker’s men this summer and played grade cricket Down Under ahead of the English summer while continuing to develop his game.

Evison said: “I was on the Gold Coast in Australia for four months, just playing grade cricket.

“It was nice to be in the sunshine, playing more cricket because I missed two months through injury in the first two months of last season.

“I didn’t have a full season so it was nice to play out there. I’ve learnt a lot about myself as a player.

“It’s just different, playing in different conditions. You have to adapt to the wickets and the different types of balls and you have to nail down different skills.

“I’ve improved my bowling, adding skills that I didn’t have last season, so it was really good.”

Evison could hardly have asked for a better loan spell.

But he insists he always felt signing for Kent was the right move for him.

He explained: “It was always a no-brainer to come to Kent.

"I feel like there’s a role for me in this team.

“I can bat anywhere. I usually bat in the middle order but, with a couple of injuries, I got asked to take the role as the opening batsman [in last year’s One-Day Cup success] and I felt I thrived in it.

“I’ve been loving every minute.”

Evison sees himself as an all-format all-rounder.

He knows competition for places will be