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‘Frustrated’ at Hildreth omission – Hurry

by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

James Hildreth should have been in England’s Test touring party to Sri Lanka, according to  Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry.

Joe Denly and Ollie Pope were included in the squad but Hildreth, 34, remains overlooked at senior international level.

Hildreth passed 1,000 County Championship runs for the seventh time in 2018, including three centuries, meaning he’s now passed three figures 44 times in first-class cricket.

“I am possibly biased but I see James at close quarters day in, day out,” Hurry told the Somerset County Gazette. “I know the quality he has and how hard he works.

“I think he should have been in the squad as he would add value on and off the field, particularly given how good a player of spin he is.

“He has a sound technique which would stand him in good stead at international level.

“I am frustrated but James will have to deal with the disappointment, as he has done before. You can never say never.”

Hildreth has had experience of playing on turning wickets at Taunton in recent seasons, where Jack Leach, who was selected in the England squad, has become one of the country’s leading spinners.

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