CWC 2019: Liam Plunkett relieved to rediscover lost pace before World Cup

Plunkett returns to his form with spell of 4/50 for Surrey in Royal London One-Day Cup.

Liam Plunkett working hard to make it to England's World Cup squad | Getty Images

England paceman Liam Plunkett felt a little relieved after getting back to his rhythm in the ongoing Royal London One-Day Cup ahead of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at home.

While there is a lot of pressure on the fast-bowlers and competition among Mark Wood, Tom Curran, David Willey and Plunkett himself to find a place in England’s World Cup squad, the 34-year-old was relieved that he rediscovered his form as the hosts gear up to kickstart their preparation for the showpiece event against Pakistan in a limited-over series at home.

Plunkett became an important figure for England with his ability to take wickets in the middle overs and bowl with pace into the ribs of batsmen, but he could not deliver the same pace in recent months -that is something due to which he was concerned about his World Cup chances.

However, the fast-bowler managed to get back his form with the ball, thanks to his hard work over the past few months, working with Surrey coach Richard Johnson, and consulting new county colleague, Morne Morkel, taking 4 for 50 to help Surrey to win a London match over Essex on Tuesday to find his form with the ball. 

After the Royal match, Plunkett told reporters, “I feel a lot better. I put pressure on myself in the first few games, but I looked at some old footage with Johnno [Richard Johnson] and spoke to Morne a bit and worked on things. I felt so much better today. I attacked the crease; my pace was the late 80s and I had some snap and control.”

He continued, “I have played a lot of white-ball cricket and was probably trying to force it to bowl quickly. Today I felt the ball was coming through nicely and I felt as good as my best.”

Liam signed off by saying, “It is a relief. I work hard on my game. I have done all the one per-centers in the last few months to put myself in a good place, but if you are not performing and getting wickets, you put pressure on yourself. After today, it is nice to get that performance for the team and me because I felt like I was cranking up to where I want to be and felt like the old me of the last few years.”

(With The Telegraph Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 24 Apr, 2019

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