The 33-year-old was an occasional presence at the bowling crease for Auckland. But since transferring south to Otago in 2015 he has really worked on that aspect of his game. And it is paying dividends. He has 13 wickets in 17 one-day games for his adopted province and they have come at the cost of about 30 runs apiece.
His record with the red ball this season suggests a player who is making rapid progress as well. He has seven wickets at an average of 20.
In the past, any wicket he took was very much a bonus. He was in the team for his batting and he has done that extremely well over the years.
He averages 38.78 in first-class cricket and last summer swatted four centuries for the Volts, including a rapid double hundred.
"Since I’ve come down here to Otago my bowling has really flourished," he said.
Former Otago coach Nathan King encouraged Kitchen to develop his bowling more and Volts coach Rob Walter has continued to back his ability.
"It is something I never would have thought would have happened when I was with Auckland," Kitchen said, adding his pathway was blocked by the likes of Bruce Martin, Tarun Nethula and Bhupinder Singh.
"It was hard to get that ball out of their hands, really. But I definitely do wish I was given a little bit more of a chance to develop my skill in Auckland."
Now Kitchen is a bona fide all-rounder, he mounts a more compelling case for higher honours.
Playing for the national team is something he has never given up on.
"It is definitely something I’m still pushing for. All the sacrifices you make during your career are to play for the Black Caps.
"It is always something I’ve always strived for. Being down here in Dunedin has helped me develop and I feel like I’m closer [to selection] than I have been in the past.
"All I can do is put the numbers on the board as see what happens, really."
Kitchen’s next challenge is to show he can bowl economically at Pukekura Park. The Volts play Central Districts in a one-dayer at the venue tomorrow.
It is a stamp-sized venue where mammoth scores are the norm. Central has a powerful batting line-up which will likely include Jesse Ryder, George Worker and Tom Bruce.
Otago has stuck with the side which beat Wellington. All-rounder Jimmy Neesham was a late scratching from that match. He missed the game with a back spasm and was not considered fit enough to bowl, so has missed selection.
Otago v Central Districts
New Plymouth, 11am
Otago: Hamish Rutherford, Rob Nicol (captain), Shawn Hicks, Neil Broom, Anaru Kitchen, Derek de Boorder, Brad Wilson, Michael Rippon, Jacob Duffy, Warren Barnes, Jack Hunter, Matt Bacon.
Central Districts (possible): George Worker, Dane Cleaver, Jesse Ryder, Will Young, Tom Bruce, Doug Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Ben Wheeler, Adam Milne, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner.
