Chris Stocks speaks to Essex’s Tom Westley about life in the top flight and an England call-up.
For the past two summers Tom Westley has averaged above 50 in County Championship cricket, and scored hundreds in tour matches against Sri Lanka and Australia.
That form could, and possibly should, have seen him earn a call-up into England’s Test team.
However, the constant refrain – and excuse – was the fact his runs, which totalled 1,217 last season, were devalued because they came in Division Two of the Championship.
However, with Essex back in Division One for the first time in seven years following promotion last summer, Westley has the chance to prove once and for all he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Now 28, the Cambridge-born batsman is no youngster. His experience, though, means he is well equipped to deal with the challenges that await over the coming months, starting with Essex’s season-opener against Lancashire at Chelmsford today.
“I do agree with the fact if you score runs in Division One they should go a little further than runs in Division Two, otherwise what’s the point of having split divisions?” says Westley.
“Hopefully this year, if I can repeat what I did last year, I will have a stronger case to eventually play for England.
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