Liam Plunkett still has England regrets ahead of return to the big time with Welsh Fire

ALEX BYWATER: The 36-year-old was jettisoned by his country after the World Cup in 2019 and after a lean period due to injury he is ready to make an impression in the men's Hundred

The Hundred 2021: Men's team guide - Welsh Fire

Liam Plunkett admits he couldn’t watch England play during his long exile from international cricket and still misses the buzz of representing his country.

Now in the twilight of his career at 36, the experienced seam bowler is readying himself for a new challenge with the start of The Hundred which began this week. 

Plunkett famously helped England to their glorious 2019 World Cup final win over New Zealand, but his is a long road travelled and he made his Test debut as long ago as 2005. 

Back then, the hugely talented young cricketer looked destined for a long, long England career but between 2007 and 2014 he didn’t play a Test. 

Evolving into one of his country’s best white-ball bowlers, Plunkett’s renaissance was capped with the World Cup final of two years ago in which he took three wickets including that of Kane Williamson. That memorable evening at Lord’s turned out to be his last international action.  

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss England,” Plunkett told The Cricketer. 

“The team we built over four or five years to become No.1 in the world and win the World Cup was great and I was with those guys day in, day out. 

^{Plunkett's outing since the end of his international career have been restricted to T20s}

“You practice and play with them constantly, watch them improve, and that inspires you to get better. I consider pretty much all of the England guys my friends and then all of a sudden, you’re not a part of that picture anymore. You go from spending months away with these people and going out for dinner together and things like that to it stopping. 

“England is the highest team I can play for and I was disappointed with how it all finished, but I can take my last game for them being a win in a World Cup final. 

“I’d definitely have taken that when I was playing for Durham seconds a few years before!”

Plunkett’s progression through the Durham system saw him quickly reach England level, but a sporting career is never straightforward and at one point he ended up in his county’s reserves. 

A move to Yorkshire revived his career and now with Surrey, he has also played franchise cricket all over the world which is a testament to his quality in the game’s shorter formats. 

“Even when I was struggling, it wasn’t through a lack of trying,” Plunkett said. “It was just what happened. I didn’t take it for granted because I’ve always worked hard, but then people find you out, you start to struggle, and you doubt yourself. 

“Even in that time I always thought I’d play for England again. 

Welsh Fire urged to do Wales proud in The Hundred

“I don’t think I watched any England games during that time because I was jealous of not being there. I might have watched the odd highlight, but I’d never sit down and watch a game. Now it’s the opposite and I’m more than happy to watch England. I’ll even get up early in the US to watch them.”

Plunkett’s American wife Emeleah still lives in the USA. The couple are used to spending time apart although Plunkett has been able to travel abroad in the last year despite Covid-19 restrictions. 

“We’ll have lots of time to spend with each other when my career ends,” said Plunkett. 

“We haven’t got bored of each other yet because we haven’t had that time! We love it in the US and she’s happiest there. I’ll play cricket as long as I’m successful and doing a good job.” 

A good job is exactly what Plunkett plans on doing for Welsh Fire. 

Gary Kirsten’s men’s side met up in Cardiff this week ahead of their first game at Northern Superchargers on Sunday. Plunkett’s fellow England World Cup winner Jonny Bairstow will captain the team for the first two matches before reporting for Test duty for the India series. 

Kirsten is looking at replacement options but has New Zealand pair Jimmy Neesham and Glenn Phillips, South African’s Lungi Ngidi, and Afghanistan spinner Qais Ahmed in his squad. 

^{Gary Kirsten will lead Welsh Fire men during the campaign}

Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Ian Cockbain, Josh Cobb, Matt Critchley, David Payne and Ryan Higgins are also very handy domestic operators. 

“I like Cardiff and we’ve been successful with England here. It’s nice to feel the Welsh passion,” Plunkett said.

“Jonny has bags of experience and quality and Tom has been to the IPL, smoked it in the Big Bash, and has experience of all the big competitions. 

“There are also several players who play week in, week out for their counties. Whenever I turn up in Cardiff it almost feels like I’m in the north. I feel like I can relate to the Welsh and I’ve always had good chats with the net bowlers and the people around the dressing room here. I feel comfortable here and the pitch suits me because I can bang the ball in and mix my deliveries up.”

Plunkett’s cross-seam deliveries will be crucial with Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens boasting long boundaries square of the wicket. He has played very little cricket this season since suffering a calf injury in action for Surrey Seconds in April but insists he is ready for action in The Hundred. 

This is a man not content to go quietly despite his fourth decade coming into view. 

“I’m 100 per cent and probably as fresh as anyone to be honest,” Plunkett said. 

“I started the season and felt really good then I had a little injury which dragged on for longer than I would have wanted it to. I feel in a really good place. I’m looking forward to The Hundred. 

“Having franchise cricket in England is going to be something special and there is a lot of good talent on show. It’s good for the domestic players to get a chance to show how good they are as well the quality overseas players. I’ve not played much this year, but I feel ready to go. 

“You always want to play leading into a competition, but I’d have been a lot more stressed if I’d been in this position when I was a youngster. As you get older, you use your experience more and get less flustered. I do my skill work in practice and feel like I’m where I need to be. 

“This is something new and exciting and it gives you a spark. I’ve always had energy, but to come here and meet new people is exciting. It’s the first time I’ve worked with Gary who is a hugely successful coach. I feel like I’m still good enough to perform at the highest level. 

“Hopefully I can show those skills with Welsh Fire.”