Rob Key mentioned Josh Hull when the England director talked about wanting a strong group of fast bowlers for the next Ashes tour.
Josh Hull is a big guy. He stands out, even when he’s just sitting down. You can see he’s got potential when he talks about wanting to be like Mitchell Starc, the famous cricketer.
Like Starc, Hull is a left-handed fast bowler who can make the ball swing. He’s 6 feet 7 inches tall, and at just 19 years old, he might still be growing. He’s got the size and strength to bowl really fast.
Last week, Rob Key mentioned Hull in an interview with Telegraph Sport. Sources say England’s selectors checked him out last summer when they were thinking about picking a young team for a series against Ireland.
It was decided it was a bit too soon for Hull, but fast bowlers often make a big impact out of nowhere. If Hull does well for Leicestershire this summer, he might get a chance to play for England. Key wants to improve England’s fast-bowling attack, and now could be Hull’s chance to shine.
Josh Hull is happy that people are noticing him. He’s only been a professional cricketer for a year, so it’s nice to get some recognition. Some people might say that all that matters for a bowler is taking wickets, but what Key meant is that bowling fast is also important. You can get lots of wickets in county cricket by bowling at 78 mph, but that won’t work at the Test level.
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Josh Hull made a name for himself last summer during the One-Day Cup final. He bowled really well in the last over and helped Leicestershire win the game. That got him noticed, and now he’s been picked to play for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred.
Hull bowls at around 82 mph, but he wants to bowl even faster. He’s been working on his bowling technique over the winter to try and improve. He thinks he can bowl even faster than 87 mph.
Hull’s family has a history of playing cricket. His great-uncle played for Worcestershire in the 1950s, and his grandma Georgina loves cricket too. She used to play with her brother when she was young, and she’s always supported Hull’s cricket career.
Hull’s dad has a cricket net in a barn on their farm, so Hull and his brother could keep playing cricket even during lockdown. Hull’s brother Ollie is also a talented cricketer and rugby player.
Josh Hull went to Stamford School, where he was coached by former England player Dean Headley. Headley recommended him to Leicestershire, and Hull has been playing for them ever since.
Josh Hull wants to play as much first-team cricket as possible in all three formats of the game. He knows he still has a lot to learn, but he’s excited to keep improving. Being selected for the Hundred will give him a chance to learn from some experienced players and improve his game even more.