‘I got Broad with a yorker on my first-class debut’
After four T20 outings for Scotland, Gavin Main has more international appearances to his name than he does at first-class level, but the Lanark-born youngster is determined to change that.
Having only started playing in his back garden at the age of 11, Main was first picked up by Durham as a 16-year-old with a mean bouncer at an invitational Minor Counties training session.
Then, at 21, he began his first-class career in style at Durham in 2014, dismissing Riki Wessels on his Championship debut against Notts, before rearranging Stuart Broad’s stumps with a fine yorker on his way to 3-72.
“I came back from the dead a little bit as my first four overs went for 28 runs,” Main recalled.
“That was the first time I’ve actually been nervous on a cricket pitch; I couldn’t feel myself bowling the ball at all in the first spell, but did a lot better in the second.
“I got told to bowl short at Broad and then go for the full one, which came off pretty well in the end. It helped my confidence massively and showed me that I could do it at first-class level.
“At the start of the season it still felt as though first-class cricket was a million miles away, and while the standard is incredible, it showed me that good balls are rewarded – no matter who is at the other end. It was a big moment.”
Injuries and Scotland call-ups meant Main did not play again for Durham until the end of last season, turning out several times for the 2nd XI.
And with the likes of Chris Rushworth, Graham Onions and – for the start of the season at least – England’s Mark Wood ahead of him, he admits he has his work cut out for him this term.
But after helping his country to their first win in a major tournament, with Scotland beating Hong Kong in the World T20 qualifiers, Main insists he is ready to kick on in county colours.
He said: “The World Cup was a really good experience. Being a part of the Scotland set-up has really helped my progression with the opportunities it has given me.
“There’s not many at my age that can say they have been to World Cups already, and to be a part of that environment. Getting into the main competition is the next big aim for everyone there.
“Scotland is really important to me, but they don’t have many matches this summer so hopefully I can focus on getting more first-class cricket under my belt this summer.
“Last season maybe my progress was a little slower than I’d hoped and I didn’t quite make the impact I had hoped to. I’d just like a bit more consistency.
“Durham is a tough place to go as a seamer, having those guys ahead of you, but at the minute there may be one spot available for me to try for. There are a few of us going for that, so it will be an interesting summer for sure.”
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