Meaker wins England call-up

In August, Stuart Meaker played two Tests and three ODIs for England Under-19s against Pakistan. In the September issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, Jenny Thompson spoke to him.

Why he’s special
Originally from Durban, he moved to England aged 12 with his mother and sisters and Cranleigh School immediately offered him a sports scholarship for cricket and rugby, both of which he played at junior provincial level. He is strong at hockey, water polo and athletics, too. But cricket is his major sport and he has come through Surrey and national age groups to be an England Under-19 fast bowler. He also plays for Surrey 2nds. Like another tall, blond Stuart (Broad) he has a good action and is quick (around 80mph) and aggressive. He can swing it both ways and his batting is improving.

England or South Africa?
“It’s a tricky question. My grandparents are sort-of Rhodesian but they’re relatively English. They had their roots there but we were never strongly South African. We were of Dutch origin. I still love my home country but England has become my home.”

Rugby or cricket?
“My main sport was rugby. I could have played for Surrey youth and I played provincial stuff but I wasn’t ever going to compete to be a professional, I’m too small. I stopped growing at 6ft. It’s unfair. But then again the speed comes from the chest and arm; I’m quite a skiddy bowler.”

He bowls like Brett Lee ...
“I wish I could bowl as fast as him. I’m not too far off him looks-wise, anyway.”

... but has also been compared to Allan Donald …
“Really? He’s my hero. Growing up I watched him on TV. I used to love how aggressive he was. I almost used to model my action on his.”

… and there’s similar aggression
“Certainly, if I’m fired up for a game, I’ll try to get stuck into the batsmen, have a few words and unsettle them. If it’s a close game, I’ll get more fired up. I used to have a housemaster who was in the military, Mick Haddock, and his favourite motto was ‘Never give up’. It’s been drummed into me. If people around you are giving their all, that’s what you’ve have to do.”

What he says about himself
I need to work on my action – getting the pace and control together.

What they say about him
Stuart Welch - Cranleigh School coach
“He’s a fantastic prospect and has all the attributes to play first-class cricket. We’ve been working on trying to get him to stand up more and swing it away consistently. He’s raw. At times he just wants to run in and bowl as quick as he can. Batting, he has a talent, he just needs to play against better players. But he’s worked hard to become a No.6 or 7. He doesn’t get flustered, he’s a tough nut. The tactical side lets him down at times but he can learn that. What you can’t teach is bowling 80mph and striking the ball well. He’s as talented as Rikki Clarke, whom I’ve also coached: whether he goes on is down to how much he wants it.”

Mark Butcher - Surrey captain
“He came away on our pre-season tour to India and he impressed everyone with his athleticism and his attitude.”

Rory Hamilton-Brown - England U-19 and Surrey junior team-mate
“His season has gone up and up and up and the England call is richly deserved.”