Daniel Worrall Emerges as Potential England Ashes Candidate

Former South Australian seamer Daniel Worrall has become a surprising contender to represent England in the upcoming Ashes series, following an impressive stint with Surrey in the County Championship.

The 32-year-old, who played three ODIs for Australia in 2016, currently shares the top spot for leading wicket-takers in this year’s County Championship, with 34 wickets at an average of 16.38 and an economy rate of 2.51.

Having switched his allegiance to England and committed as a local player in 2022, Worrall has been instrumental in Surrey's back-to-back County Championship victories. The southeast county is also on track for a third consecutive title this year. Reflecting on his decision to play as a local, Worrall said, “It’s something I wish I had done ten years ago, to be honest.”

Worrall, originally from Melbourne, debuted in first-class cricket for South Australia in 2012, amassing 195 Sheffield Shield wickets at an average of 29.43. He has also played for the Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.

Signing a three-year contract with Surrey before the 2022 season, Worrall holds a British passport due to his English father and Irish mother.

Most Wickets in the 2024 County Championship:

- 34 – Daniel Worrall (Surrey)

- 34 – Jamie Porter (Essex)

- 32 – Oliver Hannon-Dalby (Warwickshire)

- 31 – Dillon Pennington (Nottinghamshire)

Approaching his 33rd birthday next week, Worrall will be eligible to play for England when his three-year stand-down period concludes in April 2025. He recently expressed his desire to play Test cricket for his adopted country, saying, “I’m ready to go if I’m required.”

“When I started at Surrey, I had the mindset that I had another full career ahead of me. I always aimed to play in England as an Englishman and build a career here.”

If selected, Worrall would be the first cricketer since Albert Trott in 1899 to represent both Australia and England at the Test level. His standout performances this year, including 8-91 against Hampshire and 10-57 against Worcestershire, have bolstered his chances for a national call-up.

While his bowling style is well-suited to English conditions, his experience on Australian pitches with the Kookaburra ball makes him a viable option for the 2025/26 Ashes series.

However, Worrall might face competition for selection, as England has named young pacers Dillon Pennington and Gus Atkinson for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, starting next week.