BBC SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Kent | Saggers seeks his reward



By Ben Kunicki BBC Sport Online

When England depart for the Ashes battle with Australia, they will take with them five fast bowlers who fail to figure in the top 25 first-class wicket-takers this season.

None of England's pace attack took 50 wickets last season and only two of them, Andy Caddick and Simon Jones, averaged under 30.

After the failure to bowl India out on three occasions during the Tests series, some suggested that new blood was needed.

The future is in bringing through the younger players but we've got an Ashes series to win

Martin Saggers

But the selectors thought otherwise.

The two men who finished top of the wicket-taking list were not mentioned.

Derbyshire's Kevin Dean has toured with England A in the past but his career has so far been chequered by injury.

And Martin Saggers of Kent has not even received a mention in dispatches, despite having taken over 200 wickets in the last three seasons.

The 30-year-old says he has had some contact with the selectors but the fact that he has not been handed a chance is a personal disappointment.

"I still believe that I've got something to offer and I can play for England," he says.

"David Graveney has told me that the selectors are keeping an eye on me, so the best thing I can do is keep performing.

Martin Saggers holds aloft the National League trophy
Saggers has enjoyed great success with Kent

"Although I'm disappointed I also think I might not have been in this position."

Saggers is referring to a stop-start career which nearly ended before it began when a first spell in county cricket with Durham led to his release in 1999.

"Durham tended to give the locals a chance ahead of the others," the Norfolk-born bowler remembers.

"And with bowlers like Simon Brown, Melyvn Betts and Neil Kileen around it was difficult."

Having arrived late to the cricket scene, Saggers believed his chance was gone until Kent offered him a break.

He took that opportunity with both hands, taking 57 wickets in his debut season with the county.

Out of fashion

"It was basically the fact that I was given a good long run.

"Dean Headley and Julian Thompson had retired so I was needed and it helps to build your confidence when you don't have to constantly worry about your place."

Saggers is an old-fashioned swing and seam bowler, the kind that England have disregarded this summer in search of a pace ace.

"You need to have an all-round variety of bowlers, if you've just got the same type then the batsmen will get used to them," he says.

Although England did return to old stagers like Dominic Cork during the summer most of the emphasis was on youth and promoting from the Academy.

Yet Saggers feels that this is ignoring the basic structure of English cricket and the demands of the international scene.

"We do get a lot of cricketers who come through late in this country," he says.

Steve Waugh congratulates Martin Saggers
Steve Waugh believes Saggers should get a chance

"If you are at your peak then you should get your chance."

"There is a big gap between Academy cricket and Tests and there is only going to be a few that can go straight from one to the other without a solid background in county cricket."

"The future is in bringing through the younger players I suppose but we've got an Ashes series we need to win."

Saggers remains hopeful that he is still in the frame for international honours and he will be playing abroad this winter, just in case.

"I'll be playing club cricket in South Africa and keeping my fitness, so if there any injuries in Australia, I'll be available."

After his recent stint with Kent, Steve Waugh singled out Saggers for his approval, suggesting England should try him out.

As Saggers himself adds, "I'd like to think that the selectors would take notice of the Australian captain."


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