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Search forRogers confident Clare will receive call-up for England
Monday, July 21, 2008, 07:30
But to put it in a historical perspective, his 129 not out and 7-74 in the first innings at Wantage Road gives him a claim on the greatest all-round figures by any player in the history of Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
Only one player has previously scored a century and taken seven wickets in an innings for the county in a first-class fixture.
He was Garnet Lee, who hit 100 not out in the first innings and took 7-78 in the second in 1927 – also against Northants on the same ground.
Lee also claimed 5-65 in the first innings.
For Clare to achieve what he achieved in only his 10th first-class match is astonishing and Chris Rogers, who made his Test debut for Australia this year, believes the all-rounder is a star in the making.
“From what I've seen, I wouldn't swap him for any young bowler I've come across in Australia for a while,” said Rogers.
“It's hard not to join in the chorus and say he's a fantastic player.
“He is pretty special, there is no doubt, and now it's really up to him.
“He's got everything going for him and what he's going to have to get used to now is the pressure of expectation.
“No doubt, he'll be wearing the three lions at some stage. I played for a month with Stuart Broad at Leicester and in many respects they are very similar.
“It was only a couple of years ago that Broad was a young player and not near England but now he's playing for them, so it might happen quickly for Claresy.
“Pattinson got a game at Headingley, so you never know what's around the corner but he needs to know that he's got a long time in the game and there's no real hurry for it to happen.
“I just hope he doesn't want it too much because he's got to let things happen and not want too much too quickly.
“He's got a long career ahead of him and I'm sure there will be a lot of highs.”
England selectors Geoff Miller and James Whittaker have already been to see Clare and are aware of his potential, so it would not be a complete surprise to see him called up for the England Lions for their one-day games against South Africa – at Leicester on August 14 and at Derby on the 16.
Rogers says Clare has the temperament to handle the step up, whenever it comes and at whatever level.
“If England were to come along and pick him tomorrow, I'm sure he'd be able to acquit himself quite well because he's got a good head on his shoulders and I'm sure he'd learn from the experience,” Rogers added.
“He's quite a professional young kid.
“He's not one for late nights and the party lifestyle, he's in the gym a lot, he works hard on his game and that bodes well really.
“I got a call to play first-class cricket early in Australia and that was a particularly hard standard but it was good to see what it was all about then come back and realise where you need to be.
“There might be a few distractions along the way but as long as he is always able to learn from other people, it's all there for him.
“There's nothing more you can say to him apart from try to relax and enjoy the ride because if he continues the way he is, he'll have a fantastic career.”
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