Shane Snater is enjoying ‘his lucky break’ at Essex after dropping onto the county champions radar at Southend’s Garon Park.

The Zimbabwean-born Dutch cricketer was playing for the Netherlands Development side [eligible through his grandparents] against an Essex second string team.

Afterwards, captain Ryan ten Doeschate pulled him to one side and said: “Mate, we’d love to get you over.”

He returned this year after playing alongside his new captain in the World Cup qualifiers in March and. having played his first three games for Essex without a contract, he is due in for talks this week to tie up his immediate future.

“It’s all happened quite quickly,” he says. “I didn’t assume I was going to jump into the first team so soon, but a lot of the bowlers are injured.

“It’s just been a lucky break for me. It’s always been a dream to play high-level cricket, and at the moment I’m riding the wave and just enjoying it while it lasts.”

Snater’s fourth appearance could come today when Essex host Glamorgan in a game they dare not lose if they are to retain any hopes of progressing in the Royal London Cup.

It comes four days after he played against his cousin Jason Roy in Essex’s defeat against Surrey at Chelmsford.

Roy, who went on to score 86, clubbed the final ball of Snater’s first over into the upper deck of the Tom Pearce Stand.

And Snater says it was a unique experience.

“It was a bit weird out there,” admitted Snater afterwards. “It was a decent contest at the beginning, but I guess he’s going to walk away with the upper hand. Hopefully in the next game, who knows?

“I wouldn’t say it’s a family rivalry. It was the first time I’d played against him. He’s always been someone I’ve looked up to, like boys do growing up. He’s always the one who’s done well in the family.”

Snater’s introduction to county cricket has been a baptism of fire. Facing Hashim Amla first up he impressed and, after some reassuring words from his captain, Snater secured some excellent figures against Somerset.

Snater took the crucial wickets of James Hildreth and Peter Trego in his next two overs on the way to match-winning figures of 5-60.

“I just knew it had to come together at some point,” he says. “You need a bit of luck, like a wicket helped a lot, and it was good to have the backing of everyone.”