Tuesday 28 July 2015 17:03, UK
England’s selectors should explain why Chris Rushworth is not being picked for the Test team, according to his Durham team-mate John Hastings.
Australian all-rounder Hastings has himself been overlooked by his country since his last international appearance in 2012, despite some stellar performances, particularly in T20 cricket.
Fast bowler Rushworth is the County Championship’s leading wicket-taker this season with 64 Division One scalps.
Hastings believes that his lack of height and raw pace are counting against him as far as the England scene is concerned. But he insists the selectors cannot ignore his rapidly-rising number of victims for ever.
“Rushy has been amazing for the last three or four years and I’d love to see him get a chance to have a crack at the England set-up,” Hastings told the Newcastle Chronicle.
“He’d be a fantastic asset, in the Vernon Philander mould. I’d love to see him get a chance at some stage. I’m not sure whether he will.
“If he keeps doing what he’s doing he’s going to be hard to ignore. It wouldn’t be great for Durham, but I’d love to see it.
“For whatever reason players aren’t perceived to fit the mould of international cricket but really given the chance they can do the job as well as anyone else.
“I think that’s the case for Rushy, definitely, and I do feel a bit of sympathy for him. If you are putting performances on the board and still not getting picked there has to be something wrong.
“Those questions need to be answered.”
