Kent's Hockley in record innings

Hockley became a school teacher when released by Kent seven years ago

Kent's James Hockley says he played the "innings of his life" after scoring an unbeaten 283 for Kent League side Hartley against Gore Court.

Hockley re-signed for Kent this season on a one-year deal, seven years after being released by the county.

The 30-year-old helped Hartley to a record score of 540-1 from just 55 overs, as they recorded a 340-run win.

"It was just one of those days where everything goes for you and it was good fun," he told BBC Radio Kent.

"I got my hundred in the 24th over and thought to myself that if I really wanted to go on here, I could actually get myself a big, big score.

"It was the highest score I've ever got, so I suppose I would put it down as my best innings."

As well as setting the highest ever individual score in the Kent League, and the highest ever total, two record partnerships were also established: 261 for the first wicket and 279, unbroken, for the second wicket.

But Hockley said that after the game he was too exhausted to celebrate with his team-mates.

"The boys were quite happy and there were a few photos being taken of the scoreboard.

"I was completely drained batting out there because it was quite warm, so it was quite nice to sit down and enjoy the moment."

Hockley became a sports teacher when he left Kent, and carried on his love of cricket by playing at club level before he was given a second shot at the professional game by Kent captain Rob Key this season.

His employers at Marlborough House, a private school, in Hawkhurst, agreed to give him leave to take the opportunity.

But Hockley, who last featured in the County Championship in the win over Glamorgan in May, says he is not pressurising himself to break back into the first team.

"Our first team at the moment is so strong, it's incredible. It's going to be so hard for me to break into that team, with so many international players in that side," he said.

"But if I can keep scoring runs, you just don't know - you might get that call-up."