In 1879 Bray was spotted bowling in the nets at Lord's by Kent player George Hearne―sources say in his "dinner hour".
[2] He made his debut for the county side in June of the same year in a match against Yorkshire at Sheffield.
[b][2] This included nine wickets in the return match against Sussex and 8/103 in an innings against Surrey at The Oval.
[10] He played only once more for Kent and his first-class career ended with a total of 87 wickets taken in his 22 matches.
[1] Following his rapid rise to prominence, Bray was employed as a professional coach at Eton College and at Cambridge University in 1880.