The New / Old Kid on the Block

‘Tis the season for second chances, apparently. And if coaches who weren’t good enough first time round can get another go at the top level, why not seam bowlers?

At this point I could advocate a recall for Darren Pattinson, but as I’m neither insane nor drunk at the present time, I’m going to recommend another bowler who last played a test when Peter Moores was England coach.

The bowler in question last represented the test side in June 2007. He’s now almost seven years older but is still under thirty. Can you guess who it is? Ignore the big picture of him at the top of this page which kind of gives the game away.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen. Liam Plunkett should be England’s third seamer moving forward. Wow. I never thought I’d ever say those words.

Last time we saw Liam in England colours he was a lost looking youngster who needed a break from the game. His bowling action, which looked pretty decent when he made his debut, had been coached to pieces: he was mechanical, awkward and seemed unbelievably unhappy. International oblivion followed.

Several years later, after losing his place in the Durham team, Plunkett moved to Yorkshire – a smart move if you’re a fast bowler.

Jason Gillespie and the Yorkshire coaches took hold of Liam, remodelled his action (to a certain extent) and rebuilt his confidence. He was rewarded with a call up to the England Lions squad this winter. He didn’t let anyone down. In fact, many reports identified him as the most consistent bowler on the tour.

The televised championship game between Durham and Yorkshire (it was on Sky) earlier this month gave Plunkett the chance to strut his new-found stuff.

Whereas Graham Onions, a bowler everyone remembers fondly, struggled to find his rhythm – incidentally, he struggled to bowl more than 79mph too – Plunkett had the television audience drooling. At one point I think David Lloyd was genuinely aroused.

Plunkett’s action now looks strong, natural and repeatable. The jerkiness has all gone too. He also bowled at a good pace – high 80s sometimes nudging 90mph – throughout the match, even late in the evening session.

He also looked as strong as an ox. The pitch was relatively benign but he gave all the Durham batsmen the hurry up. He looked every inch, in this observer’s opinion, an international bowler. In some ways he reminded me of Andy Bichel.

With Steve Finn unlikely to walk back into the side, and Chris Jordan’s stamina a worry – the word is that he bowls quickly in short spells but then his pace drops alarmingly – I genuinely think Plunkett is the best man to complement Anderson and Broad against Sri Lanka. And let’s not forget that he bats a bit too.

There are sexier names of course: Mills and Overton are both great prospects, but they’re both a little too wet behind the ears. Plunkett is therefore the best fast bowler available. He’s not express pace, but he’s quicker than he used to be, and he has both the frame and stamina to withstand England’s gruelling schedule.

Although Plunkett wasn’t in England’s ODI squad (much to my surprise) this could be because the selectors have already pencilled him in for the first test. Rumour has it that Moeen Ali was left out in order for him to play more championship cricket, and bowl longer spells, in preparation for the test series.

Maybe they’re thinking something similar with Plunkett. I’d be disappointed if this wasn’t the case. Nobody, not even England’s much maligned management team, can surely think that Harry Gurney’s a better bowler?

James Morgan