Liam Plunkett

The power-packing seamer continues to put in the hard yards in an England shirt. A reliable member of the lower order, he offers bounce with the ball and counter-attack options with the bat

The Cricketer | 04/05/2019 at 08:15

Born: April 6, 1985

Role: Right-arm bat, right-arm fast medium

Every career has its ups and down, but none has been quite as extensive in that regards than Liam Plunkett’s time in cricket.

Breaking onto the scene as a brutal quick bowler who harried opposition with an almost machine-like action, Plunkett made his first-class debut for Durham in 2003 and almost immediately assumed the county responsibilities of England’s Steve Harmison.

Soon handed a Test debut in 2005 against Pakistan, Plunkett’s reputation as a genuine all-rounder grew in both formats, scoring a half-century in just his second ODI against the same opposition.

But what promised to be a lengthy international career was curtailed due to his erratic bowling tendencies, and a subsequent loss of confidence, as dismal showings in the 2006-7 Ashes series and 2007 World Cup demonstrated Plunkett lacked the incisiveness required at the international level.

However, losing his England place didn’t affect his county form, proving pivotal to Durham’s success in their victorious 2007 Friends Provident Trophy campaign in addition to their back-to-back County Championship titles in 2008 and 2009.

Seemingly set as a result for a second stab internationally, stiff competition for places, injuries and problems with his action combined not only forced him to accept sporadic appearances with England, but also saw him endure a lean spell with Durham, where he slipped down the pecking order and then consequently told to find a new club.

Yorkshire took the chance on a dishevelled Plunkett by offering him a three-year contract in 2013, and he has been a shining light for them ever since.

A full recall came as a kneejerk reaction to Mitchell Johnson tearing England apart, before injury prevented him from building upon momentum gained in two Tests each against Sri Lanka and India in 2014.

A year later England’s ODI game would be revolutionised after their World Cup humiliation, and Plunkett has been an essential part of that, becoming someone who has regularly created opportunities and taken wickets in the crucial middle overs whilst conceding few runs.

His ability to hit a long ball in an intimidating batting lineup, in addition to a couple of four-fers against Australia and India last summer in ODIs, has seen him warm up nicely to what will feel like a much-deserved opportunity at the highest level for the 34-year-old.

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