Rat made his senior debut in 2002 and as the only Goresbrook Colt in living memory to break the senior club cartel to make an Essex XI, was fast-tracked into the 1's in 2006 as a 15 year old.

Initially he made his mark as a technically correct opening bat who could bowl a few overs, but after bowling less than 40 overs in each of the 2006-2008 seasons, a growth spurt and the addition of a couple of yards of pace have helped him become an integral part of the 1's attack.

After a run of low scores and damaged equipment at the top of the order, Rat settled in first at number 4 and then up a spot in the pivotal number 3 slot and his awkward left arm seam was always a useful option.

Rat is also the best slip fielder in the club and given that the drop off to 2nd best is enormous, this could be the aspect of his game that is hardest to replace as he takes up a job in Singapore.