Opportunity knocks for Stoneman
MARK STONEMAN has been given the chance to establish himself in England’s team ahead of this winter’s Ashes tour of Australia after the Surrey opener was handed his first Test call-up last night.
Stoneman will become former captain Alastair Cook’s 12th partner at the top of England’s order since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012 when he makes his debut in the first-ever day-night Test in the UK against West Indies at Edgbaston next week.
The 30-year-old has got his opportunity after the selectors finally lost patience with the out-of-form Keaton Jennings, who had a shocking series against South Africa that saw him score just 127 runs across four Tests at an average of 15.87.
Newcastle-born Stoneman, who is averaging 58.82 in first-class cricket this summer following his move from Durham to Surrey, said: “It still hasn’t quite sunk in. I made a few quick calls to my wife, parents and sister.
“Everyone was quite emotional because it has been a long road with a few ups and downs along the way.
“My dad Ian is a typical northern bloke who kept his emotions in check during my call. I bet he shed a tear or two when he put the phone down, though, because he will be so proud.”
Young leg-spinner Mason Crane is also likely to have a chance to stake an Ashes claim during the three Tests against West Indies after he was named in a 13-man squad for Edgbaston that includes Chris Woakes, the Warwickshire seamer having recovered from the side strain that ruled him out of the South Africa series.
Crane took the prized wicket of AB de Villiers on an impressive international T20 debut against South Africa at Cardiff in June.
And although the 20-year-old is unlikely to be named in the team for the pink-ball Test that starts in Birmingham on Thursday, England are expected to give him a chance in one of the remaining two matches of the series.
Dawid Malan has also seen off competition from Alex Hales to retain his place. FORMER England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw has agreed a new long-term deal with Harlequins that will keep him at the Twickenham Stoop until 2020. Robshaw, 31, said: “I’m extremely proud to have re-signed with the club that gave me my first chance as a player and who I have cheered for since I was a child. I thank Harlequins and the supporters. John Kingston and the team have recruited well and we have our sights set on silverware this year.”