Waiting in the T20 wings Matthew Roller caught up with Benny Howell, the Gloucestershire box of tricks who fl ies high in global T20 ratings but low on recognition (for now)

 | thecricketer.com Harry Trump/Sarah Ansell/Getty images than his40, andinthat period, player hasmore T20 Blastwickets in hisown abilities. Since 2016, no unlikely toforce England’s hand. name, the29-year-old’s seems and, withjustthree T20 fiftiestohis international arelonggone, the days of65mphtrundlersin ball bowler inthepastfew years, undoubtedly developed asawhite- a surprise. While Howell has it’s quitetough.” competing againstthat quality– allrounder role, soyou’re just lookingat meinthat [pace] in for me. At theminute, they’re then you couldseeadifferent route the spinner’s rolesealedanyway – cricket –andIpretty much have a centralspinneroptionin T20 Woakes, , allthose guys. comparing metoBenStokes, Chris putting meinthat bracket, they’re me intheallrounderrole;ifthey’re other players. They’re lookingat “Not justwithme, but withafew Howell says ofthenational selectors. that isfaltering onthebigstage. him acall-uptoanEngland T20 side convinced itcould bewhat earns significant amount, but heis It may notseemaparticularly to increasehistopspeedby 5mph. coach, isfocused ontrying work withJones, now aspecialist year, andhassethissightshigh. His he isdesperate to make2018his less “hip-dominant”. action He isworking hardtomakehis former countyseamerSteffan Jones. away, Benny Howell istrainingwith February 14. Some11,500miles Wellington School, Somerset, England’s grasp. the gamehasdecisively slippedfrom for thethird T20international inarow, has58from 35deliveries, and, second successive six.New Zealand’s sends hisleg-stump fulltoss for a whirlwind action,andKane Williamson with real speed,hisarmssplaying inhis the Ashes series.He letstheballgo have beencryingoutfor throughout sort of raw pace that Englandfans He issteaming in,bowling withthe 13. MarkWood walks backtohismark. Wellington, New Zealand, February But Howell isrighttobeconfident To some, thismightseemlike “But ifyou canlookat meas “I dothinkthey’re missingatrick,” After afrustrating winteraway,

the analytical sideofmodern T20 specialist bowlers intheworld. is “undoubtedly” one ofthebest T20 analysts, Dan Weston, thinksthat he Khan. Indeed, oneoftheirdata alongside Adam ZampaandRashid handful ofshort-form bowlers regularly placehiminthe top Sports Analytics Advantageand best T20 bowler intheworld, suggest that Howell istheninth- more highly. White Ball Analytics 12- defeat at Wellington. – ofthosewhoplayed inEngland’s ahead ofallbut one–David Willey ranked asthe49th-best T20 player, Player Performance Index, Howell iteration ofTheCricketer’s , but intheworld. Inthefirst is notonly oneofthebestin but itdependson thewicket.” got aboutsixthat I’d useinagame, that Imay never use. I’ve probably I want tousevery soon, andones ones that areawork inprogressthat “I’ve got ballsthat Icanrely on, array of slower balls. and spendshourshoninghisvast Howell’s ability. Heloves training, county bowler istounderestimate be sniffed at. Yet tolabelhimagood Howell’s achievements shouldnot Group inlastyear’s tournament, finishing bottomoftheSouth quarter-final stagein2016before side were knocked outat the T20 Considering hisGloucestershire his economy rate isamiserly 6.4. are missingatrick. A baseballaddict, Howell loves But different modelsrate himeven And accordingtosome, Howell “I’ve gotabout50!” hejokes. Not just withme, 50 slower balls! I dothinkthey but withafew I’ve got about other players. to wait onthat.” I guess I’ve justgot we’re yet tofindout. I’ll beabletodo, but can doiskeepplugging away. international stage, but allhe doubt hecanstepuptothe his way. Ofcourse, many will overcome thechallenges in he hasbeenfaced with, and adapted tothesituations is usedtosetbacks. Hehas on thesouthcoast, Howell at 23afterfailing tomakeit and find new ways.” who you’re playing against, adapt, ifyou’re aware of think itmatters – Ithinkyou and work thingsout. ButIdon’t I goifpeoplestartpicking me that they’re picking thebestXI. looking tothefuture], notsay got tomakeitclear[that they’re have potential,” hesays, “but they’ve there isabalancetobestruck. may remainslim. Butheinsiststhat Australia in2020, Howell’s chances the next World in on developing young talentbefore that, Iknow I’llbeperforming well.” white-ball competitions. Ifwe do trophy [for Gloucestershire]inthe England squadfor sure, andwina show what Icando, andgetintothe at leastrecognition for theLions, to Howell says. “Ideally, I’d liketoget franchise before this year’s auction. was contactedby more than oneIPL standby throughoutJanuary, and Renegades, for whomhewas on Big Bashfranchise Melbourne Howell hasattracted interestfrom of alternative overseas players, Khulna Titans signedanumber which heplayed justonceafter Premier Leaguethiswinter, in “frustrating” spellintheBangladesh been withouteffect. Despitea T20 especially.” they shouldn’t usethemmorein of theplayer. Idon’t seewhy scenarios. Itdoesshow thequality at thedeath –they’re alldifferent in thePowerplay, inthemiddle, or what your numbersareifyou bowl cricket. “I likethestatistics saying “That’s what Ibelieve Released by Hampshire “They’re concernedabouthow “Obviously there’s young guysthat Of course, withEnglandfocusing “You can’t controltheoutcome,” And theanalytics have not Interview |COunty thecricketer.com |87 in T20 Gloucestershire major weapon for Benny Howell is a Left &Bel ow