England has a dynamic, charismatic all-rounder as their Test captain in Ben Stokes. Sometimes however, whilst the indominable spirit is willing, the flesh has not always been able to play that role to the full. Chris Woakes is the next go to all-rounder, but the road ahead is now much shorter than the one behind him, career wise. Gus Atkinson has proven he can add runs to his bowling at Test level too, although its too early to say if that will happen consistently, as has Mathew Potts, but both would still be considered bowlers who bat, rather than true all-rounders.
It raises the question, just who else is knocking on the door to fulfil the vital role of a wicket taking, run scorer to add balance to England’s Test team?
Ryan Higgins’ name does not seem to have been on selectors’ lips, but perhaps it should have been. Others can make claims of course including Liam Dawson who has been considered, but clearly passed over. Surrey’s Jordan Clark or Matt Critchley of Essex might also be in the frame. Compared to each of these, in his 100 First Class matches (he’s playing his 101st as I write) Higgins can boast the best batting average (36.8), highest innings score (221), 2nd most centuries (12, second only to the older Dawson who has played over twice as many matches), best bowling average (25.8), best economy rate (2.76) and for good measure, best innings bowling figures (7 for 42). At Lords against Kent, he has added another 50 and further wickets at a miserly rate.
I confess, I have not totaled up how many of his 100 matches have been in Division 2, rather than Division 1, but these are, none the less, persuasive statistics.
Zimbabwe ambitions temporarily thwarted for Ryan
Higgins had wintered well in Zimbabwe playing for Southern Rocks adding regular runs and wickets in the Logan Cup First Class tournament and the Pro 50. Conditions there are certainly different to Lords in April and May. “The main challenge is the heat and humidity” said Ryan, adding that “the wickers are good. Quicker for bowlers but with less nibble”.
With England seeming to show little interest, Ryan was keen to get international experience with Zimbabwe, but alas, that did not work out, at least for now. According to a recent article in The Cricketer, he had committed part of his winter to playing for Rocks during the county off-season, but Zimbabwe Cricket wanted him to play the entire domestic season, running from late October through to mid-March, before being considered for selection. Somewhat against their own interest, they also insisted that his record at county level, where Higgins has consistently been one of the circuit’s leading players, would not be taken into account.
All very frustrating for Higgins, but he was surprisingly sanguine in saying “I was born Zimbabwe and lived there, so was happy to explore opportunity, but we were on different pages for time commitment and access. Playing both domestic seasons would have been too much”.
He was also adamant that his decision had been “taken for the right reasons”. A full Zimbabwe season would have left no break at all before starting his Middlesex County season For an all action, all-rounder, who has just past 30, that would not have been realistic.
England indifference just one of those things
How, I wondered, does Ryan feel about England’s lack of interest? It was, he said, “one of those things. They have never looked at me in a serious light and I’ve never picked up the phone to ask. But you can see what they want at the moment – high pace and guys that go out and give it a whack with the bat”.
My response that Ryan was sharp of pace, can generate bounce and has no problem ‘giving it a whack’ was met with a somewhat rueful, yet mature “yes it does frustrate me. I have been trying for a long time. But as I get a little older I try not to let that frustration make me angry”.
Zimbabwe have yet to win a Test against England and three of four have ended in thumping innings defeats in 2000 and 2003. However they did draw at Trent Bridge, where this year’s match will be played, albeit with some rain assistance.
So, come May 22nd, who will the Harare born Higgins be rooting for? A tough and unresolved call for Ryan, it seems. “I’ve often wondered, but haven’t had to pit the two against each other very often. It’s going to be difficult and I’m not 100% sure to be honest. I’ll sit on the fence and see how it goes”. Perhaps it was his last comment on the issue though that gave just the smallest clue as to his feelings. “Realistically Zimbabwe are massive underdogs. It would be great to see them do well against England”.
Both sides will be without Ryan who is fully focused on Middlesex in all formats. Middlesex have made a slow start to the season but are picking up and Ryan has contributed as robustly as ever with a match saving 56 to secure a draw at Derby whilst being as effective and economical as ever with the ball.
“Promotion from Division 2 and to reach the final stages of the Blast would be the goal” he says. Does being a senior member in team change approach in any way, I wondered. Whilst alwsys available to help younger players if they ask, Ryan admits that “I don’t go out of my way to offer help when not asked for. I prefer to lead by example with own performance”.
Over the years, that has been a very good example indeed. If it continues, maybe, just maybe, that international recognition will finally come.
Listen to the full interview with Ryan here:
