Five facts about England debutant Jennings

Sport360 staff 15:04 07/12/2016
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  • Keaton Jennings plays a drive through the covers.

    Keaton Jennings will become Alastair Cook’s 11th opening partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss four years ago.

    Cook confirmed the Durham batsman will make his debut in the fourth Test against India which starts on Thursday in Mumbai.

    Here, we look at five facts about the tall left-hander.

    TOUGH PEDIGREE

    Jennings is the son of former South Africa wicketkeeper and coach Ray Jennings, a renowned hard taskmaster who sets exacting standards of physical fitness and regimented discipline. Jennings junior is unlikely to ever lack for application on or off the pitch.

    COUNTY AND COUNTRY

    The 24-year-old’s middle name is Kent, but he chose instead to play for Durham. He was born in Johannesburg but his mother hails from Sunderland. Jennings made his first-class debut for Gauteng in 2011 and in the same year captained South Africa Under-19s on tour in England. He has since served a four-year residency qualification.

    First-class record of Keaton Jennings

    • Matches: 72, Innings: 127
    • Runs: 4,272, Highest: 221*
    • Average: 35.89, S/R: 46.40
    • Hundreds: 12, Fifties: 16

    RUN MACHINE

    His breakthrough summer in 2016 was a revelation. There were two unbeaten double-centuries in his 1,548 Specsavers County Championship runs – making him the most prolific batsman in the country, with an average of 64.5.

    DURHAM DEAL

    Durham’s relegation from Division One and 48-point deduction for the start of next season, as part of their financial bail-out from the England and Wales Cricket Board, has put many of their players in a quandary. Jennings agreed a four-year contract extension shortly before the stringent conditions of Durham’s new financial plan were announced. He had a relegation clause inserted into the deal, however.

    WELL-CONNECTED

    Jennings’ route to an England Test cap owes much to some apparently chance meetings and conversations over the years. Durham coach Geoff Cook became a friend of his father Ray when they played South African domestic cricket against one another in the 1970s and 80s. Then it was South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel whose recommendation helped convince Durham to sign the youngster.

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