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Wright eager for real Test

Image: Wright: Perfect start

Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright is eager to shrug off his reputation as a one-day specialist and push his way into England's Test squad.

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Sussex all-rounder takes 155 steps towards Test goal

Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright is eager to shrug off his reputation as a one-day specialist and push his way up the batting order after a sensational knock at Lord's at the weekend. Wright made a perfect start to his 2008 season, smashing a career best 155 not out in the opening fixture against the MCC at Lord's. The 23-year-old, who has achieved international recognition in the limited overs game, did his credentials as a future Test player no harm as he easily beat his previous first-class high of 100 against Loughborough University four years ago.

Kick on

"I just want to try to build on what has happened in the winter and kick on again this summer, he said. "This is a good start. It is time to concentrate improving my form in Championship-mode, try to break in as a top-six batter and be a true all-rounder. "Just to be with England is so special but once you get a taste you want to keep playing." Wright has a number of supporters in the international hierarchy who believe he has the potential to become a useful addition to England's pace attack. And on the face of his performance in this season's curtain-raiser, despite a shoulder injury that hampered his pre-season preparation, he is certainly on the right track.
Pace
Wright bowled with pace and hostility, out foxing Owias Shah with a short ball and another bouncer leaving tail ender Steve Kirby requiring hospital treatment. The 30-year-old seamer passed out a second time after he was escorted to the pavilion causing concern from his former Leicestershire team mate. "I had never seen anything like that in cricket, so it shook me up quite a lot at the time," said Wright. "Once he got off the pitch I thought that was it. But to go and see him in the changing room - and him being out on the floor - was obviously quite scary."