He was not a bolter as such. The 20-year-old Taieri right-armer had been training with the Volts and has represented New Zealand at under-19 level.
His other claim to fame is he bowled Brendon McCullum in a club match three years ago.
But even so, his October debut felt thrust upon him. The Volts were in a bind with so many first-choice players either injured or unavailable.
‘‘It was a bit of a quick introduction,'' Hunter said.
‘‘It was like: ‘Oh you're playing. You're playing this game.'
‘‘That first game we played at Nelson Park against CD [Central Districts] and we were in the field for 150 overs.
‘‘You were just trying not to go for four and you couldn't even see how you were going to get these guys out.''
Central Districts amassed 650 for eight declared and Hunter's first dip into the waters of first-class cricket had been hard toil.
He took one for 78 from 24 overs. His only success came when he trapped opener Greg Hay lbw for 6 in his second over.
Perhaps Hunter initially got a spot in the team by default but he has certainly earned his place in the 12 for today's Plunket Shield game against Canterbury in Invercargill.
The rookie seamer has taken 12 wickets in five matches at an average of 32.41.
That represents a very reasonable start to his first-class career. His record compares favourably with the results some of Otago's more experienced bowlers have been able to achieve this season.
‘‘It is massive,'' Hunter said when asked how big the step up in class had been.
‘‘Every ball has to be on [target]. My problem is I might have a good first spell but my second and third spells have been punished.
‘‘I've just never had to play cricket at this intensity for so long. In club cricket, sometimes you are only in the field for 30 overs.
‘‘But as the season has gone on you get used to it and hopefully get better and better.''
Arguably Hunter's most impressive spell came on the last day of Otago's match with Northern Districts at the University Oval last month.
Humid conditions greeted the players that morning and Hunter got the ball to shape nicely and nip off the deck.
He bowled an impeccable length during a five-over spell which netted him three wickets for 18 runs.
It set Otago on course for its only victory in the Plunket Shield this season.
Hunter, who is studying for a bachelor of engineering and technology degree at Otago Polytechnic, is a lean man but has been working on hitting the deck harder and to generate more pace.
At best, he is perhaps nudging 130kmh. But it is his ability to swing the ball which had brought him success.
‘‘When you turn up and the first couple swing, you know you are always going to be in the game.''
He produced a couple of cracking deliveries in the win against Northern Districts. He removed Daryl Mitchell with a ball which tapered in and then nipped away.
‘‘They always put a smile on your face.''
It was a delivery anyone would have been proud to bowl and Hunter will need to produce some more of that magic if Otago is going to upset Canterbury.
The defending champion is in second place in the Plunket Shield and is fresh from a convincing win against Northern Districts in the last round. Canterbury beat Otago by 304 runs at Hagley Oval earlier in the season, so will start as favourite.
Matt Henry replaces Logan van Beek in the only change from the Canterbury team which beat Northern Districts by eight wickets.
All-rounder Sam Wells was initially named in the Otago team but has been ruled out with a calf strain. He has been replaced by Blair Soper.
Plunket Shield
Otago v Canterbury
Queens Park, Invercargill
Otago: Brad Wilson (captain), Anaru Kitchen, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Jimmy Neesham, Derek de Boorder, Mark Craig, Christi Viljoen, Craig Smith, Jacob Duffy, Jack Hunter, Blair Soper.
Canterbury: Leo Carter, Michael Davidson, Peter Fulton, Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Andrew Ellis, Todd Astle, Cameron Fletcher, Matt Henry, Tim Johnston, Hamish Bennett, Kyle Jamieson.
