John Turner, the 23-year-old pace bowler, finally made his debut for England this week in Antigua after over a year of being part of England’s extended squads. “I’ve seen a few things on Twitter asking if I actually exist,” Turner joked, acknowledging the long wait since his first call-up. His first wicket, dismissed by a catch at backward point, came just days after his debut, marking a moment he described as unforgettable.
Turner has been a part of England’s “pace project,” a program focused on developing young, fast bowlers for future international competition. After being spotted during his debut for Hampshire, Turner quickly caught the selectors’ attention, and was rewarded with a 12-month development contract to nurture his raw talent. Despite feeling “very raw” and acknowledging the need to keep learning, Turner said, “It’s really exciting to try and put my name in the hat for a spot on the Test team, or the T20 team.”
His journey has been a whirlwind. Handed his England cap by Jofra Archer, Turner’s debut saw him regularly beat batters without immediate reward, though he dismissed both Brandon King and Evin Lewis in his second appearance. His speed, which has reached the high 80s in The Hundred, has dipped on this tour, something Turner is keen to regain, knowing it’s “one of [his] biggest attributes.”
Turner’s path hasn’t been typical. He recently completed a degree in economics and finance from Exeter University, often balancing exams with cricket. During The Hundred, he famously finished a match, drove through the night for a morning exam, and returned to the team for the next match. “I’ll probably end up doing a master’s to add to my CV,” he shared, though he’s currently focused on his cricket career.
Turner’s selection has sparked mixed feelings, given he leapfrogged more experienced county players. Reflecting on this, he said, “You see guys grinding away and not getting the opportunities, and you feel for them.” But he aims to justify the faith shown in him, hoping to make a unique impact with his bowling.