Jeremy Blackmore catches up with Middlesex opening pair Max Holden and Nick Gubbins, who say they will stay grounded despite being likened to Cook and Strauss.
England have long searched for an opening pair to match the stability and run-scoring ability of Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook.
However, while comparisons with such greats are gratifying, Middlesex batsmen Nick Gubbins and Max Holden are staying focused on their own jobs at Lord’s.
Gubbins, like Strauss, is an alumnus of Radley College and a left-handed opener, while Holden earned himself the nickname ‘mini Chef’ due to his likeness to Cook.
Gubbins, particularly, has been backed as a potential England candidate since scoring 1,409 runs aged just 22 in Middlesex’s Championship winning season of 2016 with former England skipper Nasser Hussain championing his cause.
Despite a lean 2017, he seized a further chance to impress with back-to-back centuries in front of the selectors in last year’s North v South series in the Caribbean before an injury ruled him for the start of the summer. He returned strongly with a century and 99 in successive innings.
He started 2019 with 105 against Oxford MCCU last week. With England’s top order far from settled, is a call-up in his mind?
“Since 2016 when we won the Championship it’s been bandied around a bit and it does take a bit of getting used to,” he admits.
Esta historia es de la edición April 05,2019 de The Cricket Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 05,2019 de The Cricket Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.
