Spinner Hamid Qadri describes Kent all-rounder Joey Evison as one of the best all-rounders in the County Championship; T20 Blast game against Middlesex next for Spitfires

Hamid Qadri believes Kent team-mate Joey Evison is one of the best all-rounders in the County Championship.

Qadri put on a 117-run second-innings stand with Evison in their record-breaking County Championship Division 1 defeat to Surrey this week.

Evison, 21, only joined Kent last year, initially on loan for their successful Royal London One-Day Cup campaign, but has started a three-year deal this summer.

He played second fiddle to Qadri, though, scoring 42 while Qadri added 72 to help set Surrey a massive 501 to win. But it was an historic chase the visitors did with ease, winning by five wickets at Canterbury on Wednesday.

That came after Kent had been 41-5 on day one before Evison (58) and Australian overseas Wes Agar (51) supported Margate-born Jordan Cox, who scored 133.

Qadri said: “Coxy has played for a long time and he’s been an important player for Kent.

“Joey is making his way up, as well. He’s one of the best all-rounders on the county circuit.

“Having players like that - young players who are hungry to score runs - I look up to that.

“So I try to learn as much as possible from Coxy, Joey and all the senior players.

“We all look up to each other and try to improve while doing as much as we can for the team.”

With the ball, Evison ended with figures of 2-22 and 0-87 against Surrey.

On his second-innings knock, meanwhile, 22-year-old Qadri added: “I earned the right from Monday, just surviving the evening.

“Tuesday morning, I had a clear plan. I knew, if it was in my area, I was going to try and take it on.

“But there was a bit of smart cricket around that.

“Joey was excellent from the other end and we put on 100-odd, which was a great effort.”

Kent, skippered by Jack Leaning after Sam Billings was dropped