Parky, you are in the England Test squad!
RED ROSE SPINNER CALLED UP ALONG WITH TEAM-MATE MAHMOOD
MATTHEW Parkinson was in midover when he found out he had been called up to England’s Test squad.
And the Lancashire spinner was told by his new Three Lions teammate Saqib Mahmood, who shouted down from the balcony at Leicestershire’s Grace Road as the squad for the Tour of New Zealand was announced yesterday.
The duo are perhaps the surprise inclusions in the 15-man squad for the two-match series against the Kiwis, and they are also in the T20 squad too.
But it is recognition of Lancashire’s impressive season, which has seen them dominate Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship and reach the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast after topping the North Group and the semi-finals of the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Leg-spinner Parkinson, 22, has played just 20 first-class games, but already has 60 wickets. He also has more T20 wickets in the last three seasons than any other bowler.
And he celebrated his call-up by dismissing twin brother Callum yesterday as Lancashire faced Leicestershire in their final Championship match of the season.
“I was actually on the field in mid-over when I found out,” said Parkinson, who is from Bolton.
“Saqib, who isn’t playing in this match, was on the players’ balcony and he shouted the news to me.
“At the end of the over I came down to fine leg and was asking which squad I was in! Then the other lads found out and came over to me to congratulate me.
“I’m very happy and proud, and it’s an amazing way to finish the season.
“I was hoping to get a call for the white ball squad, although wasn’t sure I would. But now I can show them what I can do with the red ball too.
“It tops up a great 2019 for both of us, and for the club too. It is the perfect end to a perfect suimmer.
Mahmood, who has lightning pace and has become a key bowler at the death in T20 for Lancashire, has been a regular in England Lions squads but injury has hampered the progress of the 22-year-old, who has only played 16 first-class games.
However, England have always been keen on his pace, and now after a season free of injury he has the chance to show what he can really do.
“I have had so many messages from friends and family and it is great to do them proud,” he said.
“I missed most of last year and I wanted to make up for that this year and this is a good way to finish it.
“When I got the call and found out I was in both, I didn’t really hear the rest of the call!”
Lancashire’s Jos Buttler joins them in the Test squad, but is rested for the five T20s, while Jimmy Anderson is omitted as he battles to recover from the calf injury which saw him miss all but four overs of the Ashes series.