Saqib Mahmood hopes to impress England captain with Lancashire shows

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England bowler Saqib Mahmood is again with a pink ball in his hand and plans to talk to Ben Stokes as he appears to be like to nail down a task within the Take a look at aspect.

Mahmood made a extremely encouraging Take a look at debut within the West Indies 13 months in the past, impressing on two docile pitches within the ultimate days of Joe Root’s captaincy, however suffered a stress fracture shortly afterwards and has not performed first-class cricket in a 12 months.

Having returned to the worldwide fray throughout final month’s ODI tour of Bangladesh he’s again in motion as he captains Lancashire’s second XI at Southport this week, with a view to creating his LV= Insurance coverage County Championship comeback in opposition to Somerset on April 20.

The queue of quick bowlers has lengthened throughout Mahmood’s harm absence however with a packed Ashes summer season there is no such thing as a scarcity of labor forward for the tempo pack. The 26-year-old has labored arduous to get his health again and is now hoping to catch the ear of the Take a look at skipper and discover out precisely how he suits into the jigsaw.

“Once I get again to bowling I’d wish to assume what I do ought to converse volumes, however I’ll most likely ask questions on roles sooner or later after I really feel prepared, so there’s extra readability, ” he mentioned.

“I’ve labored with Stokesy prior to now and he is aware of me fairly effectively. He spoke to me final 12 months about what he’d count on of me so I may put it in place in county cricket, however I had a stress fracture on the time and no one knew. I suppose it’s related now.

“You’ve taller bowlers like Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson, skilful bowlers like Jimmy Anderson and Chris Woakes, then fast bowlers with Jofra Archer and Mark Wooden.

“For me one thing which is a energy can be just a little little bit of a weak spot, as a result of I can form of do all of these issues. I’m not as fast as Jof or Woody, however I can run in and bowl fast; I really feel I’m skilful and correct however I received’t be pretty much as good as Jimmy or Woakesy.

“I really feel can do all of what the captain requires however maybe to not the degrees the opposite guys are. So it’s arduous to evaluate the place I’m within the pecking order.”

Whereas Mahmood’s evaluation could also be verging on the self-critical – he has 80 first-class wickets in 28 matches and a mean of 27.27 – he does establish his skill to search out reverse swing later within the innings as an ace up his sleeve.

“I suppose the factor I’ve which may very well be a degree of distinction is bowling with the older ball,” he mentioned.

“I confirmed I can do this in Barbados and one among my strengths is bowling with that older ball on day three, day 4 in county cricket.”

He additionally feels that the extended lay-off has had a useful impact on sharpening up some elements of his sport.

“Once I’ve received a pink ball in my hand now, I really feel sturdy,” he mentioned.

“It’s popping out in addition to it has ever completed. I felt at house at Take a look at stage, even on these West Indian wickets I felt I used to be difficult (batters), however the best way issues have gone lately I really feel like a greater bowler than I used to be. When you’ve time to work on sure stuff you undoubtedly really feel extra skilful.

“Now it’s only a case of taking part in video games, do it with the brand new ball, then do it with the outdated ball as effectively. That’s the form of factor I need to put in place, to be somebody they nearly have to choose. That’s my mindset.

“Whether or not I get picked or not is a unique story, all I can do is prepare and put in performances for Lancashire.”

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