I knew my day/night would come

ROCKY KEPT BELIEVING AND EARNS FIRST TEST CAP AT THE AGE OF 30

MARK STONEMAN reckons his long-awaited England debut is just rewards for sticking with his dream when others might have thrown in the towel.

Far from giving up, ‘Rocky’ kept on grafting, first at Durham and now at Surrey after last winter’s move, and aged 30 he will finally achieve his ambition of playing Test cricket.

Tomorrow, Stoneman (above) will become Alastair Cook’s 12th opening partner since Andrew Strauss’ retirement – and his oldest.

With age comes experience, and Stoneman believes he is well equipped to make the most of his dream becoming reality.

“Getting called up came with that sense of achievement,” said Stoneman. “Of not giving up and getting closer to those dreams and sticking to the task and putting the work in over the winters and the training sessions.

“I got flashbacks from over the years as a child when you first start playing and all the stages you go through with the highs and lows, but I’m in a good position with my game and I know myself quite well both as a cricketer and as a person.

“The last four years I had up at Durham I was playing nicely and the move to Surrey was about trying to continue that progression and reaching that level. So the call up does justify the move.

“I’ve had 10 years as a professional. I think I’ve worked a few things out. I’ve played on different surfaces and against some good players so I’m pretty

confident I can do myself justice on the field.” One of those good players he has faced is Chris Woakes, back in the England squad but who might not quite squeeze past Toby RolandJones into the team. Woakes has played against the left-hander a few times, including when Stoneman (in action for Surrey, below) scored 112 at Chester-leStreet in 2015. “He can be a tricky guy to bowl at,” said Woakes, hoping to return from a side injury at his home ground. “Particularly for an opening batsman, he hits the ball in quite funny areas. “You find your natural length has to change a bit to Mark. That good, solid length he picks up quite well because he’s a good puller of the ball. He takes advantage if you’re not quite on it and climbs into you. “Hopefully, he can continue his good form, but opening the batting in England is tough. The fact he’s Cooky’s 12th partner since Straussy tells you how good he’s been and how tough it is.”