Durham all-rounder Matthew Potts received his England under-19 cap as India’s batsmen enjoyed the better of a long and surreal first day of the first Test in Chesterfield.
Potts was presented with his cap before play by John Abrahams, who’s part of a three-man selection committee, after being confirmed in the XI to play in the first of two Tests.
He follows in the footsteps of other Durham Academy stars – most recently Jack Burnham, Adam Hickey & Josh Coughlin – in being capped at under-19 leve.
The visitors reached 389/6 in 90 overs after being put in by England captain Max Holden, with Potts among the pick of the bowlers after finishing with figures of 1/53 from 15 overs.
There were two stoppages for rain and bad light, and by the time play finished at 6:50pm, the Cheeky Girls were rounding off the Chesterfield Pride festival which was also being held in Queen’s Park, and provided a loud disco soundtrack to the afternoon.
Potts was the second bowler to strike for England, dismissing number three Shubman Gill for 29 caught behind by Kent wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson.
However, Manjot Kalra provided the backbone of the India innings with 122 from 117 balls to leave them slightly ahead at the close of Day One.