Fazal: I’ll use North East nous with India

HETTON Lyons are heralding their own international star after opening batsman Faiz Fazal was selected for India’s tour to Zimbabwe in June.

A surprise inclusion in both limited-overs squads, the 30-year-old got an unexpected call from his father in Nagpur while preparing for training in Hetton-le-Hole, where he has spent the last month playing for the North East Premier League club.

With two centuries in five games for the Lyons thus far, Fazal has impressed in his time in England, also using the unfamiliar environment to hone his skills.

A former India Under-19s player, Fazal was part of the IPL auction in February, missing out on a franchise and taking the opportunity to experience club cricket in England as an alternative.

“This year, I thought irrespective of whether I am picked or not, I will apply and seek clearance to play in England, and so far it has been a wonderful experience,” he said.

“I hope this experience will benefit me a great deal in Zimbabwe.”

It’s a move which is clearly benefitting the opener’s career, making 104 from just 101 balls against Whitburn a fortnight ago before notching 108 against South Northumberland the following week. Both were enough to give Hetton higher scoring draw victories, taking them within six points of the division’s top spot.

Fazal hopes to feature twice more for the Lyons prior to making the trip, where India are taking an inexperienced squad for three ODIs and three T20Is.

“Getting 100s here gives you a different kind of thrill, because it is cold, the ball moves all day, and you can’t really switch off while batting at any time,” he added. “I've spent a lot of time in the nets, trying to play late.”