West Indies v England: George Garton hoping to finally make England debut

After his hopes of a first England cap were wrecked by Covid last summer, George Garton is hoping this month's tour of the West Indies proves to be second time lucky.

The Sussex left-arm paceman was part of the England squad which was replaced at the last minute following a Covid-19 outbreak in July on the eve of their series against Pakistan.

He is back in national team colours now, though, and hoping to impress in the five-match T20 series against West Indies.

«I was pretty upset,» said Garton, reflecting on last summer's misfortune. «Through no one's fault, that chance was taken away.»

It was nothing new for the 24-year-old, who has spent the winter playing in the Big Bash for Adelaide Strikers.

There have been setbacks before, including when Garton spent two years recovering from a freak side injury, having impressed in the nets as bowling cover for England's Ashes tour in 2017.

Garton tore his side while grabbing his cricket coffin off a carousel at Los Angeles airport, which led to four separate injuries in two years.

He admits those early challenges helped put last summer's disappointment in perspective.

«If you look at the bigger picture, it wasn't such an issue,» he explains. «Because of my injuries in the past, I'm able to look at setbacks slightly differently.

»You just have to work hard to get another opportunity."

It's clear Garton has done just that.

At Sussex, in a white-ball set-up to envy many, he has shone. Practice has involved nets with numerous stars — Rashid Khan, Tymal Mills, and Jofra Archer all play down in Hove. International cricket then should be a breeze.

«I've been very lucky at Sussex,» he adds, on a side who, despite Garton's 2-24 with ball and 41 with bat, endured a semi-final defeat by eventual