Nathan Sowter is not keen on comparisons with Shane Warne, but after pretending to be him as a child in his garden the spinner has already begun doing his best impression of the iconic Australian in his fledging Middlesex career.
In his junior years, Sowter switched from bowling medium pace to spin, as he tossed his Warne-endorsed cricket ball around his New South Wales home.
Fast forwards to life as a professional and having the opportunity to bowl just four balls on your debut is perhaps not the dream scenario, but when you finish up with match-winning figures of 2-2 at Lord’s then suddenly the world seems a brighter place.
Sowter, 22, had two hours notice he would be making his senior debut for Middlesex against Kent last month.
And, after waiting patiently as team-mate James Franklin tore through the middle order, captain Eoin Morgan finally called on Sowter.
In the blink of an eye he turned from relative unknown to conjure up the spirit of “Warney” and was on a winner on debut.
Three sobering outings have followed since, though, Sowter bowling four wicketless overs for 45 runs.
So, while he enjoys memories of his debut, he refuses to revel in them.
He said: “It was an incredible feeling. To win at Lord’s is always special, it’s difficult to find the words to describe it.
“The job was done, I just had the chance to finish the game. Shane Warne influenced the way I bowl. Anything is possible and it could just as easily have not gone for me.”
Sowter’s introduction to English cricket came with Surrey Championship side Normandy three seasons ago.
An English passport, courtesy of his Northumberland- born mother, means he did not have to be registered as their overseas player and 99 wickets in his two full seasons certainly made him a hit.
Sowter, desperate to become the best player he possibly can, spends his winters back home, most recently representing the New South Wales U23s.
He admits he is yet to decide where the majority of his career will be spent or, more immediately, who he will back in the Ashes.
But he certainly hopes he has taken the first steps on the road to stardom. He said: “I’m here for the whole summer then we’ll see. At the moment it’s just about playing as much cricket as possible and then I will make my decision as to where I play, but I’m happy here for the moment.
“I came over three years ago. A friend, Anthony Clark, told Normandy I had an English passport, so I’d be eligible. In my first season I did at bit of travelling, then got my opportunity at Middlesex.
“Any decisions on whether I play for England or Australia are a long way off, I just hope I get the chance to make that decision and I’ll be sitting on the fence over the Ashes.
“For now, I want to play and take every opportunity to try to become a better cricketer and better person.”
