Jeremy Blackmore talks to England opener Rory Burns about his early-season form and how he’s been impressed with Surrey’s crop of young guns
If Rory Burns is not yet feeling at his fluent best this season, opposition bowlers would be advised to postpone any celebrations. Last year the Surrey opener also took a while to hit top form, but went on to command Division One, captaining his side to the Championship title and finishing as its leading run scorer.
He begins 2019 as a Test player, having impressed many with how comfortable he appeared at international level this winter, without fully nailing down a spot ahead of the Ashes.
His pre-season preparations were interrupted by a viral illness after returning from the champion county match in the UAE, but he scrapped his way to 98 against Essex in Surrey’s opening Championship match last week, thereby ensuring a draw for the champions. He believes that spending more time in the middle will help him rediscover his best form.
Speaking to TCP after the Essex game, Burns said: “I came back with a bit of a fever and flu from Dubai and then that turned into tonsillitis, so that wiped me out for five or six days. A few other guys come back with fevers. It’s just aeroplanes and travel. Dust storms as well out in Dubai and dirt up your nose and in your mouth. But I’m all good now.”
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