George Garton: "If I've been linked with any bowler, it's been Mitchell Starc. Hopefully I can be as good - and quick - as him one day."
Sunday 12 November 2017 18:00, UK
Sussex left-armer George Garton may be something of an unknown quantity at international level but with a style likened to that of Australia quick Mitchell Starc, the uncapped seamer will be hoping to make an impact after being called up into the England squad for their final Ashes warm-up match.
The 20-year-old, who is cover for the injured Jake Ball, made his Sussex debut last year and has just 23 wickets to his name in nine first-class games, but as a left-arm option with genuine pace, England see potential.
That has led to the comparison with Starc, although Garton knows there's still a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same company as Australia's match-winner.
"If I've been linked with any bowler, it's been Mitchell Starc," Garton told Sky Sports before his call-up.
"People say my action is pretty similar and hopefully I can be as good - and quick - as him one day.
"It's good to have that end goal and nice to be likened to a player of his calibre."
Garton was due to fly to Australia with the England Lions this month but will arrive early to join the Test squad in Townsville for the warm-up against the Cricket Australia XI, starting on Wednesday.
And while he will return to the Lions - who play a three-day match against a Queensland XI from November 27 - after the Townsville match ends, it's an excellent chance for the promising youngster to rub shoulders with the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, players he has looked up to growing up.
"Anderson and Broad have played for a long time now and they are the best opening partnership England have ever had," he said.
"They are clearly the ones to look up to. It's really exciting going forward with the crop of bowlers we've got in the English game.
"[Mark] Wood is also one for me with his extra pace," he added. "I was lucky enough to work with Woody last winter on the pace programme and now with the Lions. We've built up quite a good relationship.
"It's brilliant to have someone of his calibre around to learn from and challenge yourself against."
This will not be Garton's first experience in and around the England squad. He helped prepare the team before last summer's Oval Test against South Africa as a net bowler.
It's the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and show what you are made of.
He was expecting to do the same thing in the build-up to the first Ashes Test at the Gabba when the Lions bowlers were due to bowl at England in the nets, but now he will get an early chance to impress against the likes of Joe Root and Alastair Cook.
"It's the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and show what you are made of," Garton said.
"It's a spotlight opportunity to get the players talking amongst themselves and showcase what you can do.
"I was lucky enough to do it before the Oval Test against South Africa last summer. I loved that experience so hopefully I can repeat it in Australia.
"The main difference [bowling against high-class players] is that the margins are a lot smaller," he added. "The top players know their games inside out and can very easily pick you off when you are not right on the money.
"You want to get away from playing the man. I was lucky enough to bowl at Cook last season and for the first couple of balls you are thinking about bowling to Alastair Cook and telling yourself to switch on.
"It's as much of a mental battle as it is getting the ball in the right place."
Something Garton will have to get used to in the next week or so and into the future if he can fulfil the potential England see in him.
