AT THE top of his mark, by all rights the nerves should have been jangling for Ryan Stevenson.
After all, the Hampshire seamer was trying to defend two runs needed off the last ball of a thriller against Essex last weekend in the t20 Blast.
But the 26-year-old was coolness personified – simply happy to be out on the pitch playing the game he loves again.
After three years of injury hell, Stevenson feared his career was over – and now he is back doing what he does best.
Ravi Bopara could only manage a single – being run out going for the second – the match was tied, and Stevenson’s comeback tale takes another twist.
“After injuring my back the third time last season I was not sure I would be back playing again, so it’s a great feeling to be out there playing with the lads again,” he said. “That tie against Essex was very dramatic – it was just a good game.
“I was just happy to be out there for that last over, I definitely think (my injury hell) helps. After the first ball gets hit for six, I just thought – I might as well go for it.”
After bursting from absolutely nowhere to earn a contract at the Ageas Bowl back in 2015 – Stevenson’s was a star on the rise.
The youngster was simply enjoying playing in the Devon Premier League before Devon came calling for some Minor Counties cricket.
Giles White heard there was a young seamer pulling up trees and came to take a look – and before he knew it, Stevenson was in the first-team fold.
This story is from the July 27, 2018 edition of The Cricket Paper.
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This story is from the July 27, 2018 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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