Cranleigh’s burgeoning reputation as a major cricket school received a massive boost when Stuart Meaker (North, 2007) became the first Old Cranleighan to play cricket for England when he appeared in the final two one-day internationals in India in October.
Meaker, whose out-and-out pace had attracted considerable media interest since his first-class debut in 2008, had featured in England’s fast-bowling programme for the last two winters. He was talked about as a potential England call-up during the early part of the season before being sidelined by a hamstring injury. He returned to action in July and in August was picked to play for England Lions – the national development side – against Sri Lanka A.
He was nevertheless a surprise choice for the England ODI squad, given that he had failed to hold down a regular place in Surrey’s one-day side and was seen as more of a Test prospect.
Meaker made his debut in the fourth ODI in Mumbai, taking 1 for 45 in his nine overs, and was retained in the side for the last ODI in Kolkota where he took 1 for 65. England lost both matches but he was praised for his performances in alien and far-from-helpful conditions.
“If ever there’s a way you’re going to learn, it’s by being chucked in the deep end,” he said after his debut. “I was disappointed by the overall result of the game, but I certainly wasn’t expecting a maiden in my first over, and then the wicket in the next was a dream come true.”
Former England batsman Chris Adams, who is now director of cricket at Surrey, has been a big supporter of Meaker. “He’s dynamic and bowls extremely quickly,” he said. “He’s similar in style to a young Darren Gough. He’s got an almost perfect action for a fast bowler and his ability to reverse swing is possibly one of the reasons why he was called up.”
Inevitably given the current make-up of the England side his call-up was accompanied by certain newspapers moaning he was yet another South African in England colours. But those reports overlooked the reality that Meaker arrived in England as a 13-year-old and his game was honed under Stuart Welch at Cranleigh before he moved onto Surrey.