CRICKET: Hammond proud of England debut (From Oxford Mail)

CRICKET: Hammond proud of England debut

10:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport By Russell Smith, Sports reporter specialising in horse racing. Call me on 01865 425453

Miles Hammond’s first taste of international action with England Under 19s has left him wanting more.

The 17-year-old, from Oxford, is back at St Edward’s School after helping England draw the Test series 1-1 in South Africa.

He said: “The whole experience was a memorable one. I learnt an awful lot as a person and a player.

“Playing for England is something that I am very proud of.

“Obviously it is an honour, so I would be very keen to do it again.”

And Hammond, who has represented Oxfordshire’s youth teams since the age of nine, played an important role in the first Test victory at Newlands, Cape Town.

Batting No 9, he made 39 in a crucial 90-run partnership with Ed Barnard, who hit 114, which helped England post a match-winning first-innings total.

He then took 2-25 and 1-30 with his off-spin as the tourists bowled South Africa out twice to claim a 107-run victory.

Hammond, who is a member of the Gloucesterhire Academy said: “It was one of the best experiences I have ever had on a cricket field.

“I thought I performed reasonably well, but I believe there is room for improvement as always.”

Hammond and his England teammates didn’t fare so well in the second Test at Boland Park, Paarl as South Africa won by 67 runs to level the series.

The Oxford teenager made a battling 26 in the second innings, and bowled fairly economically without taking a wicket.

“I think I bowled pretty well without much luck, it was not to my best though,” he reflected.

Hammond, who played for Cumnor last season, then found his opportunities limited, making just two appearances in the one-day series, which England lost 5-0.

He took 1-27 in a ten-run defeat at Paarl, and went wicketless in a nine-wicket drubbing at Newlands as South Africa completed the whitewash.

“It was obviously frustrating not to be playing the matches,” he said. “But this gave me a chance to reflect on my own performance.”

Although the cricket was a terrific experience for Hammond, he felt he had also benefited from an excursion which took place away from the field of play.

“The biggest lesson for me was when we visited a hospice for terminally-ill children,” he added. “I learnt to keep life in perspective when playing cricket.”

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