Josh Hull – The Covid cricket convert set for his England debut

England have called up left-arm seamer Josh Hull for the the final Test of the summer, with the 20-year-old drafted in after just 10 first-class appearances.

Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at their new recruit.

Where has he come from?

Hull’s has been a brief and unexpected journey to the top. Born in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, he was initially focused on a career in rugby until breaking his right arm at 15. That injury saw him turn towards cricket and he honed his skills during the Covid lockdown summer of 2020. Part of a farming family, his grandmother had a barn converted into a makeshift net facility for him and brother Ollie. A student of the private Stamford School, he spent time in Northamptonshire’s pathway before being picked up by Leicestershire’s academy, where he was initially nurtured by former England seamer Philip DeFreitas en route to a senior debut just 17 months ago.

What is his record?

So, what is it about him England like?

Director of cricket Rob Key let the cat out of the bag earlier this year when he name-checked Hull as one to watch, highlighting the profile that marked him out for special attention. At 6ft 7in, his height is an obvious attraction, offering him an unusually high release point, an ability to deliver different lengths and steepling bounce. Just as importantly, he is a quick left-armer. Apart from all-rounder Sam Curran, England have not had a southpaw in their Test attack since Ryan Sidebottom in 2010. There have been plenty to come through the white-ball set-up, including Reece Topley, Tymal Mills, George Garton and Luke Wood, but none with real red-ball credentials.

What is so important about left-armers?

What are his references like?