History was the reason why Cameron Steel ended his Australian exile but he insists his future lies in English cricket with Middlesex.
Born in the USA, bred in Somerset, refined in Perth and studying at Durham, it’s fair to say Steel has seen a fair chunk of the world in his 19 years.
So it’s of no surprise that his cricket has a touch of unconventionality, an all-rounder as comfortable opening the batting as he is bowling leg-spin.
However, if it was not for his decision to read history at Durham and sign for Middlesex at Lord’s, Steel could be ascending the Western Australia ranks after his family moved there when he was 13.
“We went over to watch the 2006/07 Ashes in Perth and I remember going to the fifth day of that fourth Test with my dad, John, while my mum and sister went on a trip down the Swan River,” said second-year student Steel. “It was a fantastic day and they came back and said we should move here – and we all agreed to do it.
“The move transformed me as a cricketer, the way they coach cricket was really refreshing and at my school, Scotch College, the coach Mike Hirsch was just brilliant. I got some runs in the regional competitions and for school, and then I got picked up by Western Australia.
“I came back to England to play cricket but it was more because of university. I’d finished school in Perth and applied at Durham because it was the best university for history at the time, though I hadn’t expected to get in.
“I’d kept in touch with Somerset but in the end came to an agreement with Middlesex and they’ve been great. Angus Fraser is big on people going to university and the support has been unbelievable. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
When not at university he’s a Middlesex 2nd XI regular, thrashing his first top-order ton last August – although it’s not all been plain sailing.
Since returning his leg-spin has suffered and he admits it’s playing catch-up with the rest of his game.
“It’s one of those things I’ve struggled with over the last couple of years but I still see myself as an all-rounder,” Steel added. “At 16 I was seen as more of a leggie, but when I came back over to England the following year it was the first time I felt I was struggling.
“I didn’t bowl as much and when I did guys were coming out for me and I imploded. But I’m just coming back into it now. It was not so much the conditions but the change of scenery and the overall goal is still to be an England spinner.”
University life has also thrown up new challenges for Steel, skippering the Durham MCCU side while head coach Graeme Fowler stepped down in May.
“I have loved the university experience and I learned so much from Foxy (Fowler) when he was around, he was brilliant to work with and I got on with him like a house on fire,” Steel said.
“But it’s nice to be down here at the moment with all the Middlesex coaches, working in a professional environment.
“It was a bit tougher at university this year, I was captaining and Foxy wasn’t around. I did have to take a bit more on and it’s nice to just play again and work on my own game.
“It’s tough to say how far I am from the first-team but it could be around the corner and I just need to make sure I’m ready.”
This piece originally featured in The Cricket Paper on Friday July 17, 2015
