Player profile: Tom Westley

Whilst my juvenile dreams of becoming the next Beckham or Freddie Flintoff have long lain shattered in the gutter, there are those at Durham who are still relentlessly pursuing theirs of being our countries’ next sporting superstar. Tom Westley is one of them.

Durham’s 1^st XI cricket captain shot to local fame as the youngest ever player to score a century for Cambridgeshire at the age of nine, but at 14 Essex County Cricket Club ignited the proverbial rocket strapped to his back and so his career took off. After dominating youth cricket, he made his 2^nd XI debut at 15 (scoring a century that summer) and was elevated to Essex 1^st team a year later, appearing against Sri Lanka on debut. He went on to Captain England Under 19’s at the world cup in Malaysia and now is aiming for nothing short of following Andrew Strauss and Nasser Hussein in becoming the third Durham Alumni to captain England.

Embarking on his final year studying BA Sports, Westley has made 35 First Class appearances and already has two First Class centuries to his name. He describes himself as a batting all-rounder, occupying the top order with the bat as well as boasting respectable figures as an off-spin bowler (average of under 30). I met up with Westley to ask him about writing essays on tour in Barbados and, after a fascicle summer, whether cricket can ever recover.

TC: You are quite a big fish in Durham’s pond, have you ever Googled yourself?

TW: No, but my housemates have created a Wikipedia page for me and Greg Smith (fellow Durham University 1^st XI and Leicestershire C.C.C.), which is quite funny.

What is the best memory in your career so far?

Captaining England Under 19’s was obviously a massive honour for me, but playing a pivotal role in winning promotion for Essex in the last game of the season just beats it (he scored 132 in the first innings and 40 in the second).

Who is the best player you’ve played with and against?

With is Andy Flower (ex Zimbabwe international) or Alistair Cook (current England opening batsman and vice-captain). Against would be Mark Ramprakash (ex England international), though Tino Best (West Indies fast bowler) almost took my head off this summer!

You are already contracted to Essex, why did you bother with University?

Around the time I had to make the decision I had experienced a couple of injuries, which forced me to see that there is more to life than cricket. It’s a safety net in case cricket doesn’t work out.

So, if you can’t be a professional cricket player, what would you be?

Probably homeless! Cricket is all I’ve wanted to do since I was 9 and now that I have the chance to do it I realise I am very privileged. It continues to be my priority through Uni (to the detriment of my grades).

How do you juggle your degree with playing cricket?

Not very well! Touring makes things difficult; last year I had to write an essay in Barbados. I know how this will sound, but I wish I could just sit in the library sometimes; it just doesn’t get done on the road.

Pizza or Pasta?

Oddly it would be pasta in the off-season and pizza during the summer. I eat really well during the winter when I train 4 or 5 times a week. By March I will be one of the fittest guys in the team. But then the grind of the long season wears me down and I need food to pick me up.

Hot chocolate or a pint in the evening?

Pint. I should probably be going out less – let’s put it that way, but I am immersing myself in the Uni lifestyle. Thankfully, as I say, I am very fit so I can hide it from my coaches.

Cricket was rocked by another betting scandal this summer. Can we trust the integrity of the game?

I think so because I still believe the best team will always win. I am in no way condoning it, but the events that are being mentioned are trivial.

Can you give us a little signal so we can bet on your next no-ball?

I’ll give my ear a little rub.

Should we be betting on your future?

Ha, ha. Well, obviously I’m not a million miles away but I would hate you to lose any money on my account. In five years time I hope to have established myself in the Essex 1^st team and England is the goal. I think when I stop pushing to play for England I will give up cricket. I don’t see the point in becoming stagnant and settling for less.