Ethan Brookes is relishing his first ever opportunity to play T20 cricket at senior level.
Brookes has been handed his chance by Worcestershire Rapids in the Vitality Blast and has responded by being their leading run-scorer after five games with 119 runs.
The 23-year-old has also the second highest strike rate behind Gareth Roderick of the Rapids players at 158.66.
Brookes appeared to be taking the Rapids to victory versus Leicestershire Foxes with his 37 off only 16 balls on Sunday before his dismissal.
He said: “I feel I’ve been ready to play T20 cricket for a while. That didn’t happen at Warwickshire and I was so pleased Worcestershire gave me a chance from the very first game.
“I’m very thankful to them for showing a bit of faith in me and the main thing for me is that I’ve been striking it a decent amount.”
Brookes scored three centuries this winter when playing in Australia for Prahran and feels he has got back the confidence he enjoyed when he returned to Visit Worcestershire New Road in mid March.
He said: “It was a bit strange, I came back with loads of confidence, my game was in a really good place, but because of the weather we didn’t play that much cricket early doors in the Seconds.
“But the Seconds then had a good run out of T20 games and I feel I’m back to where I was when leaving Australia.
“It was a good life experience out there but the standard of cricket is so good. To get three hundreds, and one in a T20, gave me confidence.”
Brookes is preparing for Friday’s Blast encounter at home to Notts Outlaws but has other goals he also wants to achieve this summer.
He said: “I need to score a few runs in the second team to put my name in the hat but hopefully I can make my Championship debut this year.”
