Wheeler quick to reward selectors’ faith
He took just three wickets in the match, but Ben Wheeler showed enough on a benign Pukekura Park surface in March to book his ticket to England.
Yesterday the 23-year-old from Marlborough justified the lofty rating of former selector Bruce Edgar as the left-armer speared through Somerset’s batting lineup in his first bowl for New Zealand.
Wheeler, summoned to England to cover for absent Indian Premier League trio Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Matt Henry, made an immediate statement with figures of 5-18 at Taunton. It was his third bag of five in his 29th first-class match, and lifted his career numbers to 91 wickets at 26.5.
Edgar watched Wheeler bowl for Central Districts against Wellington in New Plymouth in March, on his return from a twomonth layoff with a broken finger, and recommended to coach Mike Hesson he get a chance in England.
Conventional swing did it for Wheeler as the New Zealand XI skittled Somerset for 204 yester- day, to lead by 33 on the first innings. His first spell was lethal as he swung the ball back into the right-hander and had figures of 4-6 at one stage. He was the clear standout as first test contenders Doug Bracewell (1-67 off 13) and Neil Wagner (2-41 off 7.5) found it tougher with the older ball.
Wheeler’s elder brother Joe was an impressive pace bowler at Marlborough Boys’ College but was snared by rugby and now plays for the Highlanders. Young Ben made his first-class debut against Auckland at age 18, and has hardly been bowled into the ground in five seasons due to various injuries.
He was just happy to get on the park and contribute, before the frontliners return this week.
‘‘I was pretty nervous at the start. But to get that first over under my belt and to see the ball swinging I started to relax. It seemed to be coming out well so I just went about my business,’’ Wheeler said.
Thanks to 70 not out from another debutant, allrounder Mitchell Santner, and 57 from opener Tom Latham, the tourists were 149-3 at stumps on day two to lead by 182.