ELEVENTH hour replacement David Masters was Kent Spitfires’ hero in Sunday's 165-run National League win over first division strugglers Durham Dynamos.

The former pupil at Chatham's Fort Luton school was drafted into the Kent squad to do battle at The Mote after Martin Saggers failed a late fitness test and came up trumps with match winning figures of five for 20.

At one point the 24-year-old seamer took four wickets for as many runs in the space 18 deliveries from the Town End at The Mote to leave the Dynamos in disarray. "It was nice for me to come back and do so well," he said after taking career-best figures on his season’s Norwich League debut.

"It’s been a couple of months since I played for the first team and since then I’ve worked on my action a little bit and that’s come off. I feel I’ve been bowling really well for the last month now and have just been waiting for my opportunity to get back in the first team and have a game. I had a lot to prove to day and feel I’ve made my point."

Masters last featured in Kent’s one-day side back on May 4, but will be keen to retain his shirt in the limited overs’ sides and to break back into the championship scene too.

"I’ve always backed myself and genuinely do feel I have more to offer the side than some of the other guys," he added. "I’ve got to keep working at my game. If I do, I know I will get better as I grow bigger and stronger.

"Taking the first was good for me because that settled me down early. Then the hat-trick ball was a big moment but the guy just got his bat down in time.

"It was nice to feature today, but my main priority is to get back in the championship side again and prove my worth to the team."

Masters may well get that chance on Wednesday when Kent travel to the south coast to take on Sussex in Hove.

Matthew Fleming (thigh) and Martin Saggers (back strain) will both undergo fitness tests ahead of the Sussex clash and should either fail, Masters seems likely to make the trip.