England have taken little time to unleash Matthew Potts in Test cricket
After taking match figures of 7-68 against New Zealand at Lord's, Matthew Potts could not have asked for a better Test debut in England shirt. The Durham seamer was included in the squad on the back of having a breathtaking County Championship campaign, where he has already taken 35 wickets.
8-4-8-3. This was Matthew Pottsā opening spell figures after he plunged into Test cricket for the first time in England shirt at Lordās, against reigning world champions New Zealand last week.
In fact, Pottsā first Test wicket came in the opening over, that too of Kane Williamsonās, the worldās third-best batsman at present as per ICC rankings. Then he flummoxed Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell in a gap of four overs before he returned to trap Ajaz Patel leg-before. When he left the field after the first innings, his figures read 9.2-4-13-4. Had he not suffered a cramp at the late stage, he could have ended up with a five-for.
On Ben Stokesā first match as permanent captain, the 23-year-young Potts broke into the lineup ahead of Craig Overton, who was considered to be a frontrunner to join the pace attack alongside the forever youngsters James Anderson and Stuart Board. Overtonās inclusion was particularly on the cards due to the absence of the injured Ollie Robinson.
What a moment for Matthew Potts š¤©
ā ICC (@ICC)
He receives his maiden Test cap from former England quick Steve Harmison š§¢ |
Potts came into the limelight in 2019, when he snared 17 wickets in his debut T20 blast season for Durham. He kept the good work going in white-ball cricket while representing Durham in the domestic circuit, as well as for the Northern Superchargers in the last editionās Hundred.
Fair to say, it was not enough for someone to get a Test cap. So what was the reason behind Pottsā reward?
For Durham, Potts had been in scintillating form in the Division 2 County Championship earlier this year. At an average of 18.57, he took 35 scalps in six matches, five more than second-placed Toby Roland-Jones in the wicket-takers chart. With Stokes representing Durham in the domestic circuit as well, it was probably his call to get the youngster in the mix.Ā
Pottsā figures in the second innings (20-3-55-3) of the Lordās Test were not as impressive as it was in the first. Yet, it included another Williamson dismissal, along with the dangerous Tom Latham and the tailender Ajaz.
What a debut Matthew Potts is having!
ā ICC (@ICC)
He gets the prized scalp of the New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson both times in this Test š„ | |
Amongst all his bag of tricks, the best skill Potts has got is his ability to swing the ball both ways. At present, there are only a few who can do that irrespective of the playing conditions. He has a knack for taking risks to get breakthroughs by executing his plans with perfection.
Safe to say, Pottsā fiery opening spell at Lordās turned the match on its head, shifting the momentum irrevocably in Englandās favour before Joe Root, former English captain, came, saw, and conquered New Zealand attack.
It has always been tough to be a fast bowler, especially in the long term. Potts has got the two best possible inspirations in Broad and Anderson, and he must not look back from here on.
Matthew Potts' reaction to his first Test match is so wholesome š„°
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šŗ Watch Today at the Test on and
While speaking about Pottsā life growing up as a cricketer, Durhamās bowling coach Neil Killeen shared an interesting story with BBC. āHe (Potts) stuck his chest out as he does. You'd have thought he'd been in the dressing room for 15 years,ā Killeen told BBC.
āHe was straight into conversations with senior players, telling everyone how they should be bowling, batting or fielding. We had to say, 'Matthew just find your place, mate'. He is not quietly confident. He is very confident, but it is not an 'arrogant confident'. It is just the way he holds himself.ā
No wonder why Rob Key, England's new managing director of men's cricket, called Potts a "point of difference" ahead of the Test series versus New Zealand.
Potts does not have an express pace like Mark Wood, Englandās fastest bowler, but he can clock in excess of 85mph on a constant basis. His biggest challenge would be to stay fit and fine, as there have been plenty of examples in the past where fast bowlers, due to injury concerns, failed to match up to the expectations.
In the same conversation with the BBC, Killeen further explained why he rates Potts so highly. āHe will run in and hit the pitch hard. He will certainly get into the battle and make it as uncomfortable as possible. That is not him chirping the batsman. That is him delivering the ball in uncomfortable positions. He has done that relentlessly throughout the summer,ā Killeen added.
āHe is right up there with those names. His bowling spells and matches this year are some of the best displays I have seen at Durham and this is my 30th year as a player and a coach."
Pottsā success at Lordās, where he even never played a first-class before, was underpinned by his accurate length. With Anderson and Broad still not showing any sign of slowing down, he may lose his place once Robinson returns. However, England have desperately been looking for a couple of seamers who can fill their two leading wicket-takers voids. Potts, at this point, has been certainly considered as one for the future.
Let us hope Potts continues to shine at the biggest stage of all to help Stokes and Brendon McCullum, Englandās newly-appointed Test head coach, bring out the revolution.
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