JUST seven years after watching Alastair Cook win the Ashes in Australia, Mark Stoneman will be opening the batting alongside him in tomorrow’s first tour match against a Western Australia XI at the WACA.
Back in 2010-11, Stoneman was watching on from the SCG stands as England sealed their first away win in Australia for 24 years during a series that saw Cook score 766 runs.
England have been searching for a reliable partner for Cook at the top of the order ever since Andrew Strauss, the triumphant captain on that tour, retired in 2012.
Stoneman is the 12th player tried in that position since then.
But after a positive start against West Indies at the end of the summer, it appears that England may have finally found the solution to their longest-running selection dilemma.
Australia will prove the ultimate acid test for the Newcastle-born Surrey batsman.
However, after spending nine winters playing Grade cricket in Australia this is a country and conditions he knows well.
It was during that winter seven years ago when Stoneman was playing in Sydney that he witnessed Cook first hand, as he did on the previous tour four years earlier during his first off season spell in Australia.
“Yes, I was here in 2010-11,” said the 30-year-old. “From memory I think I got to the SCG for one day of the Ashes.
“It is quite surreal because back in 2006/07 I was sat behind the bowlers arm as Brett Lee was steaming in bowling to Andrew Flintoff.
Denne historien er fra November 03,2017-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 03,2017-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.
