Westley debut draws Vaughan comparison

There may have been no statement century to announce Tom Westley’s arrival on the international stage but as Test debuts go the Essex batsman’s can be filed under ‘promising’.

After making a bright if ultimately unfulfilling 25 on the opening day of the third Test against South Africa, Westley made sure he took something tangible away from this match by posting a composed second-innings half-century.

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Resuming day four on 28 from 38 balls, Westley took his time to get to the landmark, taking another 81 deliveries to gain those extra 22 runs.

However, his application in difficult conditions against a very good bowling attack told its own story.

In the end the 28-year-old made 59 from 141 balls and it was an innings that not only showcased Westley’s big-match temperament but helped England consolidate what proved to be a winning position.

By the time the debutant was walking back to the pavilion 25 minutes after lunch, England were leading by 351 having reached 2-170.

Westley’s stand with captain Joe Root was worth 78 and it was telling that this was only the third time since the start of 2016 that England’s third wicket during their second innings of a Test had been worth more than 50.

Nobody can be judged on one Test appearance. But the early signs from Westley are promising.

He looked the part during his first innings before he nicked Chris Morris to second slip.

Westley’s strong onside game was perfectly illustrated when he worked Morne Morkel off his legs for the four that took him to 50.

He is no one-trick pony, though, and played several eye-catching shots through the offside as well during this innings.

Many people have compared Westley’s technique to that of former England batsman John Crawley, who also had a fondness for hitting the ball through the legside.

Yet ex-England captain Nasser Hussain sees shades of Michael Vaughan in Westley’s approach to international cricket.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Hussain said: “When I first saw Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick I was struck by how calm and composed they were at the crease and Tom Westley similarly impressed me with his temperament on Test debut.

“Technique is important, of course, but the most crucial thing at the highest level is character and, watching him play at The Oval, talking to him and seeing him go about his business, Westley does seem to have a bit about him.

“Westley is making his debut at what I think is a good age of 28 because he has been round the traps, knows his game inside out and, unlike someone like Haseeb Hameed, has been through the ups and downs before arriving at the top.”

Vaughan, of course, enjoyed a fine first Ashes tour of Australia, scoring 633 runs and being named man of the series in 2002-03 despite the fact England were hammered 4-1.

Westley might not be thinking of Australia just yet but he will hope to build on this positive start when the fourth and final Test against South Africa starts at Old Trafford on Friday.

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Beyond that there are three more Tests left in this northern summer against West Indies – opponents England’s batsmen will hope to cash in against ahead of the Ashes.

While Westley can look forward to the next match in Manchester with optimism, Keaton Jennings, who fell two runs short of a half-century on the fourth day at The Oval, will still be feeling the pressure.

The Durham opener’s efforts during England’s second innings are likely to grant him a stay of execution in the team.

Scratchy his innings may have been, but he showed guts and England’s selectors will be reluctant to drop a man they would prefer to give one game too many to prove himself than one game too few.