Dan Worrall: Ex-Australia bowler ignoring England speculation

Worrall, who has English heritage through his father, was born in Melbourne and played state cricket for South Australia.

He had spells as Gloucestershire’s overseas player in 2018 and 2021, then effectively retired from Australian cricket three years ago in order to move to the UK.

Since then he has taken 139 wickets at an average of 21.9 in Surrey’s three consecutive County Championship triumphs.

Worrall has been tipped to play for England by former captain Alec Stewart and ex-Australia opener David Warner.

England director of cricket Rob Key has not ruled out a call-up, which Worrall said he would accept, but has not discussed.

“Nothing has progressed as far as I’m concerned,” he added. “If anything is happening in the background, it is, but that’s for everyone else to deal with and speculate about.

“It doesn’t faze me too much. There’s always someone with an opinion and someone that wants to get the next headline or they want to see. I’m not that bothered. Whatever happens will happen. I’ll try my best wherever I am.”

A fast-medium bowler, Worrall is blessed with accuracy and the ability to move the ball around.

Under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England have often favoured high pace. Worrall could be vying with Chris Woakes or uncapped Essex seamer Sam Cook for limited spots in the England squad.

While Worrall agrees England’s strategy is right for Australian conditions, bowlers of his style have recently had success down under, most notably home seamer Scott Boland in the recent Test series against India.

Should Worrall receive an England call-up, it would have echoes of the one cap awarded in 2008 to Darren Pattinson, whose brother James played for Australia. In 1993, Australian-raised Martin McCague was part of the England squad for an Ashes tour down under, and was dubbed “the rat than joined the sinking ship” by the local press.

Worrall, whose family are from Nottingham, simply feels lucky to have had a second chapter of his professional career in England.

“When my family moved over we had an eight-week old baby at the time,” he said. “No doubt it’s been tough. I’m sure lots of people do it, but moving to the other side of the world, with no family in London, we’ve had to figure it out as we go.

“That’s been really challenging but really rewarding at the same time. So when I come out and play cricket, it’s the easiest part of the day.”