By Rob Barnett
Harry Gurney is “very confident” of making England’s World Cup squad and intends to “cement that spot” during the one-day series with Sri Lanka.
Seamer Gurney is the sole left-armer in the tourists’ party for seven one-day internationals versus the islanders.
The 28-year-old therefore is in pole position to be England’s left-arm pace option, should the selectors choose one, at the World Cup early next year.
Head Coach Peter Moores, part of that selection process, has favoured having a left-arm seamer during his two spells in charge of England.
Indeed, Ryan Sidebottom was the joint-leading wicket-taker last time England played a one-day series in Sri Lanka, with 12 scalps in the five games at an average under 14.
It was subsequently little surprise when Moores gave Gurney an ODI debut, against Scotland in May, at the start of his second stint.
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The Nottinghamshire man then featured in all five one-dayers at home to Sri Lanka, taking a four-wicket haul at Lord’s, and one ODI versus India.
While Gurney is now concentrating on the upcoming Sri Lanka series, which starts a week today, he wants to give the selectors no option but to choose him for the new-year tri-series with India and hosts Australia plus the World Cup that follows.
Speaking after England’s second training session in Sri Lanka, Gurney said: “From a personal perspective my aim here is to try and cement that spot and get on that plane to Australia.
“I think, as you say, it’s different conditions (here). From a team perspective we’re just focussed on coming over here and doing the best we can in this particular series because that’s all we can control at the moment. Whatever happens after that we worry about when it arrives.”
On World Cup selection, Gurney added: “I’m very confident. I think I’ve got a lot to offer. I’m the only left-armer involved in this squad.
“It’s been coming out quite well in the nets. As I say, going into those games hopefully I can offer something a little bit different and when the selectors sit down to pick that squad hopefully I get my place.”
When England’s World Cup party is chosen, James Anderson and Stuart Broad will ideally be available for selection following knee problems.
Although both bowl right-arm pace, unlike Gurney, their inclusion for the World Cup could be a threat to his. However, Gurney hopes both are fit and ready.
“Quite often during the summer when these ODI series come round, when those kind of guys have had a heavy workload in the Test arena, they’re often rested and that kind of stuff,” he explained.
“So it’s not something that we’re not used to, not having them both around. I think come the World Cup they will both be around, which is only going to be good for the team and increase our chances of getting a win.”
For now, Gurney wants to take his opportunity.
“With Jimmy dropping out reasonably late on and not being replaced, it means that all of us seamers that are in the squad are going to get more opportunity, more time in the limelight and a chance to show what we’ve got,” he added.
“So we’re taking that as a massive positive from our perspective and hopefully Jimmy recovers quickly and is ready.”