Middlebrook hopeful of England place

1:04pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

ESSEX spinner James Middlebrook is determined to break into the England set-up despite being overlooked so far by the selectors.

Middlebrook (pictured) has made a strong start to the season, averaging 32 with the bat and picking up 12 wickets with an average of below 20.

But a call-up to the national side has so far eluded him, and the all-rounder admits he is frustrated by his lack of opportunities at the highest level.

"I believe that my figures in one-day cricket stand alongside most players of my type and I do get frustrated that I don't seem to be in the selectors thoughts," admitted Middlebrook.

"Others are tried and dropped then picked again but I don't know whether my face doesn't fit or I'm not the right shape or the fittest or fastest, I don't know why I get overlooked.

"But I'll keep playing my own game, getting wickets and runs.

"I'd love to get my name in the frame and get a mention here and there at international level."

Middlebrook, who turned 31 yesterday, named Graeme Swann as his benchmark, as the Nottinghamshire off-break bowler is currently England's number one spinning choice in the one-day format.

He said: "I do believe Graeme Swann deserves his place because I think he's currently the best of his type around.

"My target is to match whatever he does and hope that I can catch the eye of the selectors."

The off-spinner boosted his claim with a stirling performance against Middlesex in Essex's dramatic County Championship win last week.

Middlebrook carried his bat with a knock of 33, supporting Chris Wright (77) in an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 99 to see their side home, while he also returned match figures of 7-131 with the ball.

And he feels he has made a steady start to the new campaign.

"I feel I've done alright at this early stage of summer picking up a few wickets and to get five wickets including Andrew Strauss on what appeared a seamer friendly wicket was very encouraging," he said.

"I've felt that I've bowled very well this year and been economical. I've also felt in good nick with the bat but I've just not been scoring the runs I would have liked.

"I've been working hard on my batting during the winter and it all came right against Middlesex in the second innings and we got the win although that hadn't looked likely at the start of the second day."

Around the site