PAUL NEWMAN: Resurgence of Roland-Jones shows that class is permanent

It will not lead to a romantic recall by England but the renaissance of Toby Roland-Jones for Middlesex has been one of the feel-good stories of the first instalment of this season’s Championship.

Few English bowlers have had such rotten luck with injuries, particularly as they came for Roland-Jones just after he had shown he belonged at the very highest level.

There was the hat-trick at Lord’s against Yorkshire to clinch the 2016 title in the most dramatic fashion which led to recognition by England and four Tests the next summer.

He made a spectacular impact, taking South Africa’s top four wickets in his first 33 balls in Test cricket, going on to claim 17 at 19.64 that summer and seemingly booking his seat on the plane to Australia the following winter.

But then it all started going wrong for Roland-Jones when he succumbed to that injury which is the current curse of England bowlers, a stress fracture of the back.

Not only had the Ashes gone but the injury reoccurred after one comeback match in 2018 and he missed the truncated 2020 season with a shoulder issue.

Then there was knee surgery that ruled Roland-Jones out for four months last year.

But when he did play in 2021 Roland-Jones proved he had lost none of his class and consistency when he took 25 wickets in six games at 18 apiece and he has started this season with a flourish, taking 30 in his first five, including an eight-for against Glamorgan.

Most notably, Roland-Jones took 10 wickets in Middlesex’s victory over Durham last week, including Ben Stokes for a second-ball duck, and is finally reaping the rewards, at 34, for never giving up after fate had dealt him a particularly bad hand.

Video: This England (The Independent)

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