Jake Lintott says he was ‘really grateful for the opportunity’ after debuting for the Bears against Glamorgan in the Vitality Blast.
With the paperwork completed on Saturday, the left-arm wrist-spinner joined his teammates on the bus Sunday hoping to feature at Sophia Gardens.
The 27-year-old was immediately called into action and impressed as the Bears chose a two spin option with Jeetan Patel.
“It was good fun and it’s been a long time coming,” said Lintott.
“Last year, I got involved with the Bears playing in the Second XI and then we had a long winter. With all the difficulties of the last few months, it was nice to get out there and enjoy my cricket again.
“It’s an exceptionally talented squad so to get the nod was really pleasing from my perspective. You look around the dressing room it’s quite surreal as you look at the names.
“I’ve had to work hard to get where I am and I was really grateful for the opportunity.”
Lintott was appearing in his fifth T20 fixture after previously featuring for Gloucestershire and Hampshire in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
The Somerset-native looked right at home, finishing with figures of 4-0-13-1, earning him the Player of the Match, sponsored by 61 Deep accolade which was voted by supporters.
Lintott’s wicket of Marchant de Lange also tied with Sam Hain’s six, in the Moment of the Match, sponsored by 61 Deep poll on the Edgbaston App.
“It came out quite nicely and I tried to bowl hard into the wicket,” added Lintott.
“There was a little bit of spin both ways but I tried to be unpredictable and difficult for them to come at me.
“I didn’t plan to bowl too many leggies to him (de Lange) because I was worried about that leg-side boundary so it was nice to get him.
“Friday night was frustrating and we were really looking for that so to pick up a point and now to get two we’re pretty happy with that.
“When you’re chasing it can go up and dow and de Lange did really well to bowl four dot balls at the end of the 18th over to move it up to nine an over.
“But Sam’s (Hain) a great player and we knew we had people in the hutch so we were confident to back ourselves.
“We can now take that momentum into Northants and get another two points.”
With the games coming thick and fast, Lintott is also appreciative of the support his other employment has given him.
As Director of Cricket for Queen’s College, Taunton, things are starting to get busy but the independent school are allowing him to continue his dream once more.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the pupils on Thursday as we’ve got pre-season training and they’re all coming back,” he concluded.
“The school have been brilliant to me and they’ve given me the time to be here and focus on this.
“That’s great for me and I know they’re giving me my full backing.”
