Simon Kerrigan confident ahead of second Test face-off against Indian batsmen

Simon Kerrigan

England selectors have named Simon Kerrigan in the 14-man England squad for the second Test match against India at Lord’s after a rare draw at Trent Bridge in the series opener.

The left-arm spinner was not considered for selection after he struggled to settle down in his debut against Australia at The Oval last year. Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has even stated that he “feared for Kerrigan“ as he will be up against better players of spin than Shane Watson who clobbered the bowler for 28 runs in his first two overs.

Speaking on his comeback to the national squad, the 25-year-old left-arm spinner said that he is upbeat of facing the Indian batsmen.

Kerrigan on his expectations

“If you do well against Indian batsmen you can do well against anyone, really.

“Over the winter, I learned more about my action and about the mental side of the game. As a professional cricketer you’re always learning. I learned from last year’s Test that the sun will come up the day after that and that it’s not the end of the world,” Kerrigan stated.

The Lancashire bowler insisted that he will keep it simple.

“What happened is in your thoughts a little bit, but I know my job is to bowl spin and I bowl it every day so it’s no different. I have to learn from every experience I get and keep progressing. I keep striving for perfection and keep working towards my goal, which is to get into the England side and to bowl well for England.

“Hopefully, I get a chance to show off my skills, what I do in county cricket, on the big stage,” he said.

On aiming for a permanent place in the side: “There’s not been a frontline spinner picked in the Tests so far, so you’d be lying a little bit if you said you weren’t looking at that as a goal,” said Kerrigan on England using Moeen Ali as a spinner.

Cook impressed by Kerrigan

Commenting on Kerrigan, England captain Alastair Cook pointed out that to be nervous on one’s debut is natural and backed the spinner to come good.

“Simon’s a very tough kid. He had a tough eight overs against Australia, and he’s fought his way back. Until he plays, you’ll never know.

“What we’ve seen of him this week in the nets, and what Peter Moores (coach) knows of him, he looks a really good bowler. We didn’t see the best of it at The Oval in that one game. He could have been very nervous, and maybe didn’t know many of the lads. But I think he’s got the character and talent to be fine.

“I'm sure he'll be nervous when he bowls again, but weren't we all when we first started? Until you make a contribution for England, you never quite know if you belong in international cricket,” Cook added.