English cricket’s temptation to the raw, youthful and promising young cricketer has been something of a foregone conclusion in the modern game.
The sheer weight of cricket, domestic and international, played at full tilt over the duration of a summer offers as much opportunity for budding cricketers to enter the fray as it does for experienced players to pick up wear and tear injuries in a fixture list often dubbed as crowded and unconsciously thought-out.
The unrefined talent of a young cricketer is something to nurture, however on recent occasions the England and Wales Cricket Boards decision to plug a player out of his county, causing persistent ebb and flow performances in his cricketing tuition played out in the international arena has not always paid worthwhile dividends.
Mentioned amidst Sky Sports fledging international coverage of England’s third Test Match duel this summer against an ordinary Pakistan outfit, Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs was picked out in a shortlist of spin options whom could travel Down Under this winter to face the wrath of a wounded Australian animal.
Albeit speculation, comparatively similar to transfer day deadline gossip, Sky Sports pundit and former England Captain Michael Atherton said ‘The selectors like him (Briggs).’ This winter’s eagerly awaited Ashes rematch, according to former Rose Bowl skipper Shane Warne will offer more scope for the employment of a second spinner. The legendary wicket taker, whose textbook knowledge of Australian wickets is incisive, has deemed a second spinner for England, behind key man and upfront talisman Greame Swann could prove pivotal in picking up Test Match victims on traditionally flat batting wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Adelaide Oval, respectively.
Therefore, the name of Hampshire’s Isle of Wight born left armer has entered the fray. In spite of an outstanding first full season at the Rose Bowl, where Briggs clever mix of flight, guile, spin and quick change up have made him an instant Twenty20 hit with the ball, talk of an England call-up perhaps has arrived a little before its due date.
Undoubtedly a career ambition attached to the dreams of every cricketer is to represent their country, and by analysing the progress Briggs has made during his relatively short career, confidence beams for future international recognition. But not as this precise moment. For example, Adil Rashid, a couple of years ago was highly regarded as English cricket’s next big thing and even after a early flutter as an England cricketer, the Yorkshireman has now reached a plateau in county cricket probably forced upon him due to the pressure ensued into his character during his development. Briggs, with time on his side and the right people shepherding his career along astutely needs to continue to learn about himself as a player and person before he is pestered under the same international microscope.
The 19 year-old oozes quality already and cricketing nous which belies his years, nevertheless he now needs to build on the experiences he has already banked this term, ignore press speculation and continue to learn his trade as a highly rated young cricketer. Already with England under-19 accolades under his belt, the patient waiting game needs to be played; otherwise there is a risk a priceless talent could get lost in cricket translation.
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