Test cricket’s highs and lows are common for players. Tom Hartley had a rollercoaster experience on his debut across the four days of the first Test at Hyderabad. Hartley’s first delivery in Test cricket was hit for six by opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. His 308th and most recent delivery spun past an on-rushing Mohammed Siraj, concluding his second-innings figures of 7 for 62. This made him the first England debutant spinner since Jim Laker in 1948 to achieve a seven-for and sealed a famous England win by 28 runs. “He’s not the first, and he won’t be the last!” Hartley joked, recalling Jaiswal’s dismissal of his maiden delivery. “As a spinner, people are going to come after you,” he added. “I’m fine with it if people want to come after me. I sort of have to go into a different mindset. You look back at the ball and you think it wasn’t a bad ball. If that’s the way they want to play, you’ve just got to play with it.” Hartley’s perspective is influenced by his experience in white-ball cricket, where he has gained significant expertise. He has played 82 T20 matches for either Lancashire or Manchester Originals. Most of his role in the shorter formats involved being defensive, which differs from an attacking role with the red ball. Nevertheless, he has shown an appetite for progression with his red-ball skills, which was recognized by coaches. As Hartley prepares for the upcoming games in Visakhapatnam, he remains confident and eager to take on a larger role.
