Jack Shutt recorded Yorkshire’s second best ever Twenty20 Blast figures in just his fourth first team match and is proud to be the latest Barnsley man to play for the county.
The 22-year-old spin bowler from Elsecar, who has broken into the first team in the last month, removed all of Durham’s top five including Australia internationals D’Arcy Short and Peter Handscomb. His figures of five for 11 off four overs, with all the wickets coming in 18 balls, were the second best in the club’s history behind Tim Bresnan’s six for 19 against Lancashire in 2017. Durham were all out for 132 chasing 146.
Shutt told the Chronicle: “There was a bit in the pitch for spinners and sometimes, in Twenty20, it goes your way. I was never expecting to get those figures. It’s every young player’s dream to play for their county and I am loving every minute. Barnsley has a good tradition of producing Yorkshire players so I am very proud to be the latest one and represent the town.
“I wasn’t expecting to get into the first team but a couple of other players picked up injuries and I had this opportunity. I am learning a lot and hopefully it stands me in good stead for the future. I might have doubted a little bit if I would ever get my debut but I try not to think like that and just focus on doing well for the second team. I have gone from playing in front of 50 people to 15,000 in huge stadiums like Headingley so it’s been great.”
Shutt began his cricketing career as a junior at Elsecar CC and played for their first team while making his way through the Yorkshire age groups. Elsecar’s Ian Swallow, who also played for Yorkshire, said: “Jack was in our junior system for many years until he was 16. He had a lot of talent but it is always hard to tell if players have what it takes to make it as a professional because so many really good talents don’t.
“You need a bit of luck as well as dedication and Jack is certainly very hard-working. As a club, we’re very proud of what he has achieved in the last month and especially in Durham. Twenty20 is a big challenge for a young bowler because you can get hit for a lot of runs but he has taken to it really well. Hopefully it is just the start of a very good career for Jack.”
Shutt also took two wickets last night in Yorkshire's home win over Northamptonshire.
