Moxon: Plunkett needs captain's backing

Cricket365
June 10, 2014

Yorkshire's director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, feels fast bowler Liam Plunkett is in his prime and could be a real game-changer for England as long as he's given a chance to prove himself.

Plunkett, who last played one of his nine Tests in 2007, was recalled to the England squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka after some sterling performances for the Tykes. Moxon feels he will be one of England's best.

Moxon said on the Yorkshire website: "He's 29, but fit, fit, fit and he could easily play for five or six years and could have a late international career.

"The experiences he has had he is better equipped now to deal with what international cricket throws up for you, and now worry too much about scrutiny from the commentary box or media on what might go right or wrong.

"We all have to accept, and the England management are aware, that he is going to bowl the odd bad ball. The key is for him to have the backing of the captain and staff to know that that's ok, because he will bowl enough balls in the day to create problems.

"As long as everybody accepts that then he will fly. If people start saying he is going for too many runs then that will be difficult.

"I just do hope if he does go for a couple of fours then he is not under pressure to bowl line and length because the key with Liam is that when he's trying to bowl aggressively nine times out of 10 it goes on the line and length that he wants.

"He's a great lad who works hard at all aspects of his game, so for him to get another opportunity is fantastic. He's earned it. He works so hard on his fitness, you've got to be fit and strong to bowl fast in the spells he has.

"His pace has been consistent throughout the season. You've got to be supremely fit to be able to do that. He works hard on his fielding and his batting, too. He's a genuinely three-dimensional cricketer."