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John Turner is bidding to push his case for a spot in England\u2019s T20 World Cup title defence during the upcoming tour of the Caribbean.<\/p>\n
Turner made his T20 bow less than six months ago but flourished for Hampshire in the Vitality Blast with 21 wickets in 11 matches, leading to a maiden England call-up towards the end of the summer.<\/p>\n
A side strain delayed his debut but England remain keen on the 22-year-old and named him in both white-ball squads to face the West Indies, who will co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup alongside the United States.<\/p>\n
His selection next summer would be a surprise given those ahead of him in the pecking order, but a woeful 50-over World Cup means England\u2019s established players cannot take their places for granted.<\/p>\n
Having been fast-tracked into the England set-up, though, Turner \u2013 born and raised in Johannesburg \u2013 is trying to take everything in his stride ahead of a potentially pivotal next few weeks in his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I can do is give my best performances and make life hard for the selectors when it comes to the time for the World Cup \u2013 but it definitely does give me some focus,\u201d Turner told the PA news agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cNaturally after a World Cup, there will be some form of change \u2013 some years more than others. There\u2019s quite an exciting crop of players coming through. It\u2019s quite an exciting time for English cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the World Cup was massively disappointing for everyone but, with disappointment, it opens the door for new opportunities and new ways for things to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
I’m not necessarily a traditional English bowler that’s going to try to swing it away and nick you off, I’m just going to try and hit a hard length, be consistent there and bowl as fast as I can<\/p>\n
Turner, who qualifies for England through a Zambian mother born to English parents, is looking to be a point of difference among fast bowlers with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood absent in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n
He describes his pace as his biggest asset even though his action by one former coach was likened to Glenn McGrath, whose precision control of line and length made him one of all-time great fast bowlers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s obviously an unbelievable comparison to have,\u201d Turner said. \u201cIf I was half the bowler he was, I think I\u2019m doing very well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not necessarily a traditional English bowler that\u2019s going to try to swing it away and nick you off, I\u2019m just going to try and hit a hard length, be consistent there and bowl as fast as I can.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got some variations. During the season, I didn\u2019t necessarily go to them as much as I would have thought, but I\u2019ve got some things to go to when I\u2019m under the pump.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far the ride for me has been really positive. It could go horribly wrong but having the backing of everyone and particularly England at the moment gives me massive confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turner grew up idolising South Africa great Dale Steyn and sees a bit of the fiery former quick in himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way he bowled with the aggression, the pace, the ability and everything\u2026 he wore his heart on his sleeve and that\u2019s something I probably do, to a certain degree,\u201d Turner said.<\/p>\n
Turner has spent the past couple of weeks on an England Lions winter training camp in Abu Dhabi but could make his international bow as part of a new-look ODI side in Antigua on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be really emotional and a massive day for me,\u201d Turner added, when asked about the prospect of a first England appearance on this trip.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up, you\u2019re always wanting to play international cricket and on the biggest stage in the world \u2013 that\u2019s what this is. Hopefully just the start of quite a long journey.\u201d<\/p>\n