His father, George Hearne, had played for Middlesex and became the groundsman at Kent's Private Banks Sports Ground in Catford where Frank worked as a young man.

[1] Hearne made his first-class cricket debut for Kent in June 1879, playing against MCC at Lord's.

His two brothers, George and Alec were on the opposing side making their only Test appearances for an England team.

[3] Hearne was considered to be a "solid batsman" who was effective when defending his wicket but who also possessed "a range of attacking shots", particularly on the off-side.

Batting with his brother George, he was part of a Kent partnership of 226 for the second wicket at Gravesend against Middlesex in the same year, scoring 142 runs himself.