Is the Ashes any place to blood a Test cricketer?

 

“I've probably not been peppered like that in first-class cricket before. You might come up against one fast bowler in each side in a county game, but to have three like that is tough work.

"But you have to expect that in Australia. I knew what I was getting into going out to bat. You could tell from the field, especially when Pat Cummins came around the wicket at me. I was pretty much waiting for it.”

Craig Overton was given a lively welcome to Test cricket by the Australians. Despite being struck in the ribs, he coped with the experience admirably, but it does beg the question – is the Ashes the right place to blood a Test cricketer?

Facing India and South Africa (especially over there) is also a tough ask – with teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and New Zealand perhaps more suitable opposition for players to be given a Test taster. To experience a crowd considerably bigger than they are used to in county cricket, to appear on the telly, and so on…

Overton performed impressively, saying: "I think you have to enjoy it. It was good fun and I felt like I played it pretty well."

 

 

As well as scoring 41 in that gutsy knock, he took four wickets at Adelaide, including Steve Smith. That rib injury was made worse when he fell awkwardly going for a caught and bowled chance at Perth; a scan showed a crack, but bravely he carried on playing. Trevor Bayliss said he has "fire in his belly".

Overton had to miss the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, and was replaced by Tom Curran. He found life tough, scoring 66 runs and taking only two wickets in the final two matches of the series. A softer landing might have better for him.

Likewise Mason Crane, parachuted in at the SCG only to record figures of 1 for 193. That said, New South Wales had given him a Shield game the winter before so he knew the venue well.

Many players have survived a Test debut in the Ashes and prospered.

In 1970/71, Bob Willis one of four debutants in that triumphant series, along with Brian Luckhurst, Ken Shuttleworth and Peter Lever.

Tony Greig made his debut at home to Australia in 1972, but he was rarely daunted by anybody or anything.

 

 

Paul Parker and John Stephenson were unlucky to face Australia in their solitary Test appearances, both at The Oval, in 1981 and 1989 respectively.

Jack Richards and Phil DeFreitas rose to the challenge in 1986/87, although only the latter enjoyed a lengthy international career. Current national selector James Whitaker was never seen again after failing with the bat at Adelaide, though.

Phil Tufnell somehow survived his 1990/91 Ashes bow, and Mark Butcher had a very good Test career after being blooded against Australia at Edgbaston in 1997.

Likewise Kevin Pietersen in 2005 and Jonathan Trott in 2009 were undaunted – although the former could not catch a cold all that summer. Trott made a century on that debut at The Oval.

Ben Stokes was also undeterred facing the old enemy in their own back yard in 2013/14, but alas Simon Kerrigan (2013), and Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin (both in 2013/14) have not been seen again.

For some it appears all too much…