Blythe was given a standing ovation as he left the field and the Kent club members spontaneously "passed the hat" for a collection. This realised £7 1s 6d, a not inconsiderable sum, and that was presented to Blythe who was afterwards described the "Kentish Express" as "the hero of the match" and the "best colt of the year" who will become "the deadliest bowler in England". Blythe made a great impression in his first full season, taking a total of 114 wickets at an average of 18.47 with his best innings return being the six for 40 against Lancashire. He took five wickets in an innings (5wI) eleven times in all and took ten wickets in a match (10wM) twice, including the eleven against Lancashire. Scoble commented that "the summer of 1900 marked the uncompromising arrival of Blythe upon the English cricket scene" and, largely because of it, Kent finished third-equal in the County Championship, their best performance for ten years. They tied with Sussex but were a long way adrift of champions Yorkshire and runners-up Lancashire, the two Roses counties having transformed the competition into a "two-horse race". Blythe was one of 17 bowlers who took 100 wickets in the season and, among these, his average was fifth-best behind Wilfred Rhodes, Schofield Haigh, Walter Mead and Johnny Briggs. Blythe was less successful in 1901 as he took 93 wickets at the much higher average of 23.12. Even so, he was one of 24 bowlers who took 90 or more wickets in the season and his average amongst those was fourteenth. His best analysis was seven for 64 and there was one match in which he took ten wickets. Kent slipped to seventh in the championship with all the sevens: they finished seventh and they won, drew and lost seven each of their 21 matches. Blythe made his first overseas tour in the winter of 1901–02 to Australia as a member of Archie MacLaren's team and made his Test debut in December. He played in eight first-class matches on the tour, taking 34 wickets at 20.91. His best return, and his only 5wI, was five for 45. Kent again finished seventh in the championship. Blythe had a much better season and was one of eighteen bowlers who took 100 wickets in the season.