Tim Ambrose, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, who has forced his way into the England Lions’ team to face India on Friday, is having the kind of season that players dream about.
A career best 251 not out against Worcestershire has helped his championship average rocket to 79.17, while he has been a consistent match-winner in the shorter forms of the game, most notably the Friends Provident trophy where he scored two hundreds and two fifties racking up 439 runs at 87.80.
Born in New South Wales, Australia, Ambrose can play for England as he holds a British passport and has served the necessary qualification period. He will be well known to Peter Moores from their time together at Sussex, where Matt Prior out-jostled him for the number one keeper’s spot.
Advertisement
Ambrose often played alongside Prior as a batsman but left for Warwickshire to establish himself as a first-choice keeper batsman. The irony will not be lost on Ambrose that the man he was up against in the Sussex side is now blocking his international aspirations.
A dangerous attacking batsman off front and back foot particularly through the offside, Ambrose has, along with Nic Pothas, been the most prolific of Prior’s challengers this season. With two keepers traditionally being selected for winter tours he has much in front of him and is certainly one to watch.