» County star Bracey could make England debut against Kiwis Sport
JAMES Bracey could become Gloucestershire’s first England Test player since 2006 in the two-match series with New Zealand next month.
The Gloucestershire wicketkeeperbatsman has been named in a 15-man squad alongside fellow new-boy Ollie Robinson, of Sussex, while there is a recall for Somerset’s Craig Overton.
Bristol-born Bracey has scored 478 runs at an average 53.11 to help lift Gloucestershire to the top of the County Championship Group Two standings.
Jon Lewis was the last Gloucestershire player to represent England in a Test, facing Sri Lanka in 2006 at Trent Bridge, where he took a wicket in his first over and finished with three for 68, but was never picked again.
Bracey is included primarily as a toporder option, with Dom Sibley only just ready to return from a broken finger, but will also cover gloveman Ben Foakes.
England head coach Chris Silverwood said: “James Bracey and Ollie Robinson have been consistent performers in the County Championship this season, and over the past 18 months have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in.
“Having spent all winter and last summer in the company of our established Test players, they have immersed themselves in preparing and understanding what it takes to play at this level.
“They are both resilient characters and have demonstrated to me, the captain and coaches that they have the desire, temperament and the ability to continually improve to give themselves every chance of succeeding on the international stage.”
“There is a lot of downside [to biosecure squads], but one of the upsides is I have spent so much time with players I would not usually see much of, and Bracey is one of those.
“He applied himself through last summer and this winter, when he was on the fringes and further away from playing than he would have liked, and his attitude in helping the squad and improving has been exceptional.”
When Bracey was called into England’s 55-man training squad last summer, he was a relative unknown who had averaged in the mid-30s in his previous two seasons for Gloucestershire.
Since returning to his county, however, he has shown the value of being hot-housed in an elite environment, a point that Silverwood was keen to recognise.
“We have seen him come back from those experiences a better player, and I have no doubt if he were to play in the first Test, he will give himself the best chance of success,” he said.
“He is a quick learner, whatever situation we put him in, and he will move forward and take the opportunity with both hands.
“It can only help, having the best players in the world around you, and arguably some of the best coaches, and exposed to different conditions as well.
“They learn a lot from each other. You listen to guys talking at nets and the experiences they share when it comes to playing different deliveries.
“If you are being exposed to that you can only be better if you go with your eyes open.”
England will link up in London on May 28 ahead of the first Test at Lord’s five days later, with the second Test at Edgbaston from June 10.