England Start on the Front Foot in Bangladesh
After two Twenty20 Internationals in Dubai against Pakistan last weekend, England have begun their Bangladesh tour in earnest with an impressive start in their tour opener against Bangladesh Board XI. The main story on day one of the Tour is the 143 debut century of South African Craig Kieswetter following on from his remarkably consistent form for England Lions in Dubai recently. In partnership with Michael Lumb (who also played for South Africa Under 19s) Kieswetter played a key role in the Lions defeat of their senior counterparts in a warm-up match.
Kieswetter’s cracking start begs the question, what is it about the South African upbringing which allows their Anglo-cised players to perform so well on debut for England?
Kevin Pietersen made a string of centuries in his first ODI Series in South Africa and scored two fifties against Australia at Lord’s on his Test debut. Trott made an accomplished second innings Test century on debut in the Ashes decider at The Oval. Allan Lamb (100 in his 3rd Test) and Robin Smith (96 in 5th Test and 143 in 6th Test) of a previous vintage also excelled while Kepler Wessels made 168 on Test debut for Australia v England at Brisbane in 1982. Tony Greig made 57 and 62 on Test debut (v Australia in 1972).
From the current England team Matt Prior (raised in Johannesburg till senior school age) made 126 not out v West Indies at Lord’s on Test debut while Captain Andrew Strauss (born Johannesburg) made 112 and 83 on Test debut v New Zealand at Lord’s.
Co-incidence or upbringing?
If Kieswetter, (having qualified to play for England only last week), continues his remarkable form, England may feel compelled to give him a debut in the ODI Series beginning on Sunday and if he plays well, don’t discount him being selected for a Test debut, even if it is as a batsman exclusively.
It takes significant mental courage to walk into the unknown and dominate proceedings, not to mention a high level of cricketing skill. The only sadness is we are not talking in such reverential tones about young players from Manchester, Leeds, London, Nottingham, Birmingham, Cardiff, Durham or Southampton, the host cities of our Test matches in the UK.
