The Analysis: Mitchell Stanley makes his mark

ELIZABETH BOTCHERBY: The Worcestershire quick had just six T20 appearances to his name prior to his Hundred debut. After being thrust in at the deep end, he certainly impressed

"Keep an eye" on Mitchell Stanley. Those were the instructions from Moeen Ali to Charles Dagnall earlier in 2022.

The 21-year-old was easily the least familiar name on Manchester Originals' team sheet and with Worcestershire fans likely in short supply at Emirates Old Trafford, there were probably a few heads being scratched when his name was announced.

A strapping pace bowler, he entered this competition with just six T20 appearances to his name having only put pen to paper on a senior contract last season. This time last year, he was playing National Counties cricket for Shropshire.

He made his Worcestershire debut on June 17 and finished his maiden Blast campaign with seven wickets.

Given their injury woes – Ed Barnard is unable to bowl due to split webbing on his hand while Josh Baker (back) and Charlie Morris (knee) are both long-term absentees – Worcestershire would probably love to have Stanley available for the Royal London Cup.

But after picking up a contract at the back end of July, it was in the black of Manchester Originals that he made his first appearance for nearly six weeks.

^{Sean Abbott (left) took the catch to give Stanley his maiden Hundred wicket [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

Jos Buttler thrust the youngster in at the deep end, giving him the new ball and he could have picked up a wicket with his first delivery, Joe Clarke chopping on and narrowly missing his stumps.

His first set went for eight, Clarke picking up a boundary off the final ball; his second was a wicket maiden.

The speed gun clocked his seventh delivery of the evening at 92mph, an absolute snorter which Clarke could only punch back to the bowler.

With his eighth (a mere 88mph), Clarke's half-volley caught in the wind and fell into the outstretched arms of Sean Abbott. 1 for 8 from 10 balls.

Stanley returned to the attack for the final set of the powerplay and was brought back down to earth with a bump, Ben Duckett's innovative strokes yielding three boundaries.

He finished with figures of 1 for 23. In the grand scheme of things, they're not particularly noteworthy numbers but given the earlier dominance of leg-spinners Adam Zampa and Matt Critchley and indications of a spinner-friendly surface, it was a solid debut showing from the Shropshire native. Manchester Originals and Worcestershire fans, alike, should be excited by his pace.

A quick note on Abbott, who joined Stanley in the wicket-maiden club. He heaped praise on Stanley after the match, crediting the youngster with "setting the tone" for Manchester's win but played his own significant part in the win, chipping in with two catches and four wickets (the last of which culminated in a fine stumping from Phil Salt after a slower ball deceived David Payne).

He departs for international duty following Manchester Originals' clash with Southern Brave on Thursday and his absence could prove costly, particularly if Richard Gleeson doesn't recover from the niggle which has kept him out of the tournament.

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