A Collomosse: Betts takes the fast lane to Test contention (14 Jun 1998)

14 June 1998

Betts takes the fast lane to Test contention

By Andrew Collomosse

MELVYN Betts, the outsider in the three-man race with Chris Silverwood and Ed Giddins for the final place in England's Test party, by-passed the orthodox route into the thoughts of the selectors. For starters, he did not even play cricket until he was 12: "Hated the game; boring".

His local club, Sacriston CC of the Tyneside Senior League, provided a road to Damascus courtesy of a place alongside his mates in the juniors. But after his performances had attracted the attention of the Durham hierarchy, his burgeoning career went on hold for nine months because of a back injury.

He was 16 at the time, fulfilling a dual role as opening batsman with Sacriston and opening bowler for Durham under-19s.

Seven years on, he is the country's leading wicket-taker, with 34 victims, for a Durham side savouring the giddy heights of second place in the championship, thanks to the batting bonus point gleaned from an hour's play against Northants before rain hit the Riverside yesterday.

The likeable, unassuming Betts is content to deflect any speculation in the direction of his rivals for the honour of replacing the stricken Darren Gough in the England squad for second Test against South Africa at Lord's.

"You want a truthful answer? OK, I don't think I'm in the frame. I'd have to go for Silverwood. He's been on the last two tours; a fine bowler. People keep telling me I'm in with a chance, but I haven't heard anything.

"After we'd beaten Middlesex at Lord's last week some of the lads were having a bit of a joke: 'You'll be back here for the Test, Bettsy.' But I don't see it. The selectors will see me as a bit of a risk.

"But if I keep on taking wickets people will keep on taking notice and there might be a chance later on. It's just flattering to get a mention. . . and if the phone rings tomorrow morning I'll be ready."

Betts rose to prominence last season, topping the Durham averages with 43 wickets at 21.83, including nine for 64 and match figures of 16 for 143 against Northants. This season, in the absence of long-term injury victim Simon Brown, he has thrived on the responsibility of being David Boon's first-choice strike bowler.

"It's nice to have choice of ends for a change," smiles Betts, whose joie de vivre out in the middle has prompted inevitable comparisons with Gough. "But it's all about consistency. I had a nine-for and a seven-for last year but this time I've taken five wickets four times and I need to keep that going.

"But don't start saying our success is all down to me. John Wood and Steve Harmison are both near the 30-wicket mark and we have all learnt a lot from playing in a struggling side. If we'd been second in the table two years ago I wouldn't have been in the team and missed a lot of experience. Now we've got rid of the self-doubts. Boonie has convinced us that we can go out there and compete with anyone. And that's exactly what we're doing."

However, suggestions that a new Gough might be emerging in the far north are greeted with another of those disbelieving smiles. "I love my cricket, just like Darren, and I enjoy every minute I'm out there. He's a role-model for young lads like me because of his enthusiasm and 100 per cent commitment. But really there's no comparison. He's a hell of a lot quicker than me for a start."

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)