Hatton opened the bowling for NSW Country against New Zealand provincial outfit Canterbury at Bowral’s Bradman Oval over the weekend.

Fringe first-class player Michael Davidson smashed an unbeaten 125 as Hatton finished with 0-45.

“I’ve always wanted to play the highest standard of cricket that I possibly can so being exposed to this level definitely gives me high aspirations to have a go at State league,” he said.

“The best thing is that I know what it takes now so I’ve got until next season to work to those expectations and to nail little things in my execution.”

NSW Country assistant coach Robbie Jackson, who could well play against Hatton in the CAW finals, says the left-armer would have learnt from the weekend.

“There’s a few technical issues that have been addressed over the last month by bowling coaches,” he said.

“He’s excited by what can happen when he fixes those things up, he can pick up a couple of yards of pace.

“The left-hander (Davidson) that got the 100 was a quality player, probably one of the better batsmen he’ll bowl against I would have thought.

“But ‘Hatts’ was the only bowler that hassled him.

“He bowled two good ones and then let him off the hook-type thing, and that’s just the next level, you’ve just got to keep bowling well, ball after ball after ball.”

And Hatton was candid when quizzed on his performance.

“I didn’t perform anywhere near my full potential, which was disappointing,” he said.

“But exposing myself to this kind of standard is only going to better my knowledge for the game and develop me to be a lot better.”

The 22-year-old is in only his third season at CAW provincial level.

“Considering how far I’ve come this season it was a surreal experience to be playing against a first-class side,” he said.

“And I don’t think I’ve played on a better venue and the history and character of the ground was amazing.”

Hatton is regarded as the Border association’s quickest bowler, with Jackson suggesting he’s probably bowling around the 135km mark.

It’s been an interesting season for the quick, with many batsmen desperate to see him out, he’s taken only 13 wickets at 20.92.

His best has been 5-46 against New City in round 14 but, apart from that, he’s mainly taken single wickets.

But Jackson, who’s been rated the association’s best bat over the past decade, says he could dominate finals.

“Yes, he’s got X-factor mate, he’s got big X-factor, that raw pace,” he said.

And Jackson experienced that first-hand in last year’s preliminary final where Hatton unleashed one of the association’s quickest spells in years.

“I’ve said quite often if the game had gone for 30 minutes more on that Saturday night we wouldn’t have played in the grand final the following week,” Jackson said.

“His rhythm was right, and like all bowlers that’s important.

“He was going through us like a hot knife through butter.

“What he can get to, well, the sky’s the limit, the sky’s the limit.”