The Australian, holding a British passport, adheres to the classic English seamer template. His traditional curved run-up aids in achieving the shoulder turn and slightly round-arm action, which facilitates consistent outswing deliveries. Over the course of Surrey’s three consecutive title wins, Worrall has consistently delivered on the crucial requirement for any team aiming for sustained success—taking top-order wickets, with a secondary focus on dismantling the tail. Observing his bowling is akin to witnessing late-period Glenn McGrath in action. Each ball is not just a challenge but part of a broader strategy to manipulate the batter’s positioning, inducing hesitation and doubt. If timing or positioning falters, the ball finds its way into the hands of second slip. In 11 Championship matches, Worrall claimed 52 wickets at an average of just 16 runs per wicket. At 33, with his injury-prone early years behind him, Worrall is now at the pinnacle of his abilities, fully understanding his body and craft.
The era of the world’s elite players participating in full county seasons has waned, but a few nostalgic figures remain. Durham’s elegant South African, though not yet among the top-tier batsmen, has swiftly made his mark in international cricket with a century in New Zealand and an average exceeding 40 in six Tests. His performance in Division One of the Championship was unmatched, with 1,331 runs—nearly 200 more than the next best—in just 11 of 14 matches. His average and strike rate of 78, along with 25 sixes, underscore his exceptional form. His monumental 279 against Lancashire, where the entire opposing team collectively failed to match his score, further cements his world-class status.
The moral fortitude of a sports star is often tested by late-career injuries and the emergence of young talents. Jack Leach, a 36-Test veteran, faced this challenge when his 20-year-old Somerset teammate, Shoaib Bashir, took his England spot in India and retained it throughout the summer. Leach’s style, more about end-holding than wicket-taking, seemed outdated in an era focused on “types” of players. Despite not playing until May and struggling with wickets early in the season, Leach’s resilience shone through as he claimed five five-wicket hauls in the final five Championship rounds, earning a spot on England’s tour of Pakistan.
After 16 years at Middlesex, the allure of a comfortable retirement at Lord’s must have been tempting for the keeper-batter. However, successful athletes often embrace discomfort, venturing into uncharted territories. Last winter, Sussex sought experience to balance their youthful squad, and Paul Farbrace found it in Simpson. Simpson, entrusted with captaincy for the first seven Championship matches, excelled as wicketkeeper, middle-order batter, and leader. Playing all 14 matches, he scored five centuries, including a double, and four half-centuries, amassing nearly 1,200 runs at 75, with 44 dismissals. His leadership guided Sussex to Division Two victory, 41 points ahead of Middlesex.
Among this quintet of seasoned cricketers, the tall left-arm pacer might be the least flashy. However, in T20 cricket, he stands out, mastering the craft with 33 wickets in the Blast at an average under 13 and an economy rate just above a run per ball. His Finals Day performance showcased his skill and cunning, turning the tide for his team. In the semi-final, he dismissed Daniel Hughes early, and in the final, despite being hit for two sixes, he claimed three wickets in his remaining overs, halting Somerset’s momentum. His performance underscores that T20 bowling requires more than just being a human bowling machine; it demands skill, imagination, and tactical acumen.
