After suffering a side injury while playing for Trent Rockets in the Men’s Hundred, Hampshire’s uncapped fast bowler John Turner has been removed from the T20I team for England’s series against New Zealand later this month. Durham’s fast Brydon Carse will take his position.
After making his professional debut in the format just in June, Turner, 22, was a last-minute addition to England’s 20-over squad when it was announced last week.
When he bowled Jonny Bairstow on his Hundred debut against Welsh Fire in Cardiff, his most recent game, he demonstrated his ability to bowl at speeds of 90 mph or more. He did not appear in the competition after that, though.
Turner’s injury leaves a void that is filled by Carse, a fellow South African-born fast. He played nine ODIs in the last two years, most recently against South Africa on his county home ground at Chester-le-Street – the same location where he could now make his T20I debut against New Zealand on August 30.
Despite taking just one wicket in six appearances for Northern Superchargers in this year’s Hundred, he continues to be highly regarded by the selectors.
He was chosen for the T20I team over a number of strong rivals, including Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills, who both played well with the ball for the Southern Brave.
The 20-over series is being used by the selectors to examine the team’s bench strength, though, as England’s white-ball squad is currently focused on the upcoming 50-over World Cup, which begins in India in October. Josh Tongue and Luke Wood are also named in the squad, along with Gus Atkinson, who is England’s unexpected selection for the 50-over setup in the absence of the injured Jofra Archer.
The next T20 World Cup will take place in June of next year, so expanding the experience of the available resources was a priority. Luke Wright, the national selector, explained the motivation behind the desire to test the strength of England’s pace reserves by acknowledging that the risk of injury was a constant concern.
“It’s something we’re really excited about, to see the amount of pace that is going around in county cricket with these guys that have come through,”
Wright said last week.
“We have to look ahead to that T20 World Cup next year as well, and try and get as much depth as possible. And we know with these fast bowlers, there’s going to be injuries with them.
“So to have that depth but give them that exposure as well is obviously going to be hugely important. I think it’s really exciting to see these guys coming through. It’s been hugely impressive watching them in the Hundred and I look forward to seeing them go against New Zealand.”