Chapple: The bowler who never gave up

Glen Chapple has earned a one-day call-up at 32 © Getty Images

At the age of 32, Glen Chapple has been named as the surprise inclusion in England's one-day squad to face Sri Lanka later this month, and according to his coach and former team-mate at Lancashire, Mike Watkinson, the call-up is a well-deserved reward for "a player who never stops trying".

"We are delighted for him because he is the sort of player who never allows himself to be satisfied with his performance," added Watkinson. "He is constantly looking to improve and this season he is benefiting from all the hard work he did in the winter on his strength and fitness."

Chapple is now into his 15th season as a county pro with Lancashire, and the carrot of international cricket has been dangled before him on several occasions in the past. He went on England A tours to India and Australia in the mid-1990s, and in 2003 he was called into the Test squad to face South Africa at Trent Bridge, although he didn't make the final XI.

"Glen has been close to England honours before but hasn't quite made it," added Watkinson. "It must have been frustrating for him because he has been one of the most consistent bowlers in the country, but now they will be looking at him as an allround package."

Chapple himself believed his final chance with England had been and gone, and this season resolved simply to enjoy his cricket. That much he has certainly been doing, producing fine performances with both bat and ball. Against Durham at Chester-le-Street he followed an innings of 82 off 73 balls with a match haul of 8 for 128, and contributed 7 for 82 and a hard-hitting 47 to yesterday's two-day win over Sussex.

"I'm fitter than ever, and I feel I'm in my prime," said Chapple. "The good thing from my point of view is that I have been selected at a time when I am playing well.

"Obviously England's injuries situation has helped me, and I've got to hope that I will play in some of the five one-dayers and perform to my best. I'm not thinking further ahead than that. But, while I'm 32, I feel that my game is on the up."

Squad Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Ed Joyce, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Geraint Jones (wk), Alex Loudon, Jamie Dalyrymple, Sajid Mahmood, Glen Chapple, Tim Bresnan, Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett.