9:15am Tuesday 2nd March 2010
Former England captain Alec Stewart believes Bolton-born Sajid Mahmood can be a future matchwinner for England.
The 28-year-old fast bowler has not featured in a Test match since being part of the 2006-07 Ashes squad that was hammered 5-0 by Australia.
He has since spent time in county cricket working hard on his game with Lancashire and made a return to the international arena this winter in the one-day series against South Africa.
However, he did not make the best of impressions and conceded 92 runs from just seven overs in two Twenty20 internationals.
But Stewart is backing Mahmood to eventually come to the fore for his country.
“I have known Saj for a while and he is a decent cricketer,” said Stewart, who was speaking at Bolton Lads and Girls Club in his role as an ambassador for Yorkshire Bank.
“He hasn’t had a long run in the England set-up and it didn’t go spectacularly well for him this winter, but I still expect him to be there or thereabouts.
“If you are picking a squad of the best 24 players in the country, including batsman and wicketkeepers, Saj would be in that in my opinion. All he has to do is be consistent.”
Stewart, who made a record 133 Test appearances for England, believes the Lancashire paceman can harness his ability if he heeds the advice from people in the know around him.
“On his day he is as good as anyone,” said Stewart. “He can turn a game and win a game but he has to do it day-in day-out to force his way in and keep others out.
“He is now a pretty experienced cricketer and he needs to understand what he can do and then he can understand his role in the team, whether that is for Lancashire or England.
“He is quick, can reverse swing the ball, he bowls a good slower ball, good yorker and a slower bouncer and I have spoken to him a lot in the past few years and I want him to do well because he is a good fella.
“It is down to him now — he has to listen and seek advice and then take it on himself because he is the only one who can go and do something with it.
“I just hope — and I’m sure he has — got the appetite to play at the highest level.”
By Marc Higginson »
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