Liam Plunkett – England’s World Cup Hero and Fast-Bowling Specialist
Introduction
Liam Plunkett, the
right-arm fast-medium bowler, was a key figure in
England’s historic 2019 Cricket World Cup victory. Known for his ability to generate
extra bounce and movement, Plunkett played a vital role in England’s middle overs. With over
200 international wickets, he was a dependable bowler across all formats.
Plunkett’s career had its share of ups and downs, but his
resurgence under Eoin Morgan’s leadership made him an indispensable part of England’s
limited-overs setup. In this article, we cover
his early career, international success, statistics, domestic performances, and coaching ventures.
Liam Plunkett – Quick Facts
| Attribute |
Details |
| Full Name |
Liam Edward Plunkett |
| Born |
6 April 1985 (Age 39) |
| Birthplace |
Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, England |
| Height |
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Batting Style |
Right-handed |
| Bowling Style |
Right-arm fast-medium |
| Role |
Bowler |
| National Team |
England (2005–2019) |
| Test Cap Number |
628 |
| ODI Cap Number |
190 |
| T20I Cap Number |
16 |
| IPL Teams |
Delhi Daredevils (2018) |
Career Statistics
Liam Plunkett had an impressive career spanning across
Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and domestic cricket. Here’s a look at his stats:
| Format |
Matches |
Wickets |
Bowling Average |
Best Bowling |
Economy Rate |
Runs Scored |
Batting Average |
| Tests |
13 |
41 |
37.46 |
5/64 |
3.12 |
238 |
15.86 |
| ODIs |
89 |
135 |
29.70 |
5/52 |
5.92 |
646 |
20.83 |
| T20Is |
22 |
25 |
25.32 |
3/21 |
7.84 |
68 |
11.33 |
| First-Class |
158 |
453 |
31.86 |
6/33 |
3.25 |
4,378 |
24.73 |
Early Life and Domestic Career
Born in
Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Plunkett started his cricketing journey with
Durham County Cricket Club in 2003. He quickly became a standout performer, taking
19 wickets in his debut first-class season.
In
2005, Plunkett became
Durham’s leading wicket-taker, which earned him a call-up to the
England squad for the Pakistan tour. Over the years, he played a crucial role in
Durham’s County Championship victories in 2008 and 2009.
However,
form and injuries affected his career, and he moved to
Yorkshire in 2013. Under
Jason Gillespie’s coaching, Plunkett regained confidence and
earned an England recall in 2014.
He later played for various
T20 franchises, including:
Delhi Daredevils (IPL 2018)
Melbourne Stars (BBL 2018/19)
Surrey (2019–2021)
Welsh Fire (The Hundred 2021)
San Francisco Unicorns (2023)
International Career
England Debut and Initial Struggles (2005–2007)
- Plunkett made his Test and ODI debut against Pakistan in 2005.
- He took three wickets in his ODI debut, but struggled in Tests.
- Featured in 2007 Ashes squad but did not play a Test.
- Played in the 2007 World Cup but struggled with consistency.
- Dropped from the England squad after the West Indies tour in 2007.
Comeback and Resurgence (2014–2019)
- Plunkett made his Test comeback against Sri Lanka in 2014, taking 5/64 at Headingley.
- Played a key role in England’s ODI transformation under Eoin Morgan.
- Developed a reputation as a middle-over enforcer with his pace and bounce.
- Became a vital part of England’s 2016 T20 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy squads.
2019 Cricket World Cup – The Ultimate Glory
Liam Plunkett was
instrumental in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph.
Key Performances:
3/42 in the Final vs New Zealand, including the crucial wicket of
Kane Williamson.
3/55 in the Semi-final vs Australia.
Ended the tournament with
11 wickets in 7 matches.
His performances
sealed England’s first-ever World Cup victory in history.
ODI Retirement and Post-England Career
- After the 2019 World Cup, Plunkett was dropped from England’s squad.
- In 2021, he left Surrey to sign with Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA.
- He currently plays for The Philadelphians in Minor League Cricket.
- Plunkett expressed interest in playing for the United States National Cricket Team in the future.
T20 Franchise Cricket
Apart from international cricket,
Plunkett played for several T20 leagues:
| League |
Team |
Years |
| IPL |
Delhi Daredevils |
2018 |
| BBL |
Melbourne Stars |
2018/19 |
| CPL |
Chattogram Challengers |
2019–2021 |
| The Hundred |
Welsh Fire |
2021 |
| MLC |
San Francisco Unicorns |
2023 |
Coaching Career
Liam Plunkett transitioned into
coaching after his playing days.
- He is working as a fast-bowling consultant for various teams.
- Helping develop young American cricketers as part of Major League Cricket.
- Works with Surrey Cricket Academy to mentor young bowlers.
Records and Achievements
| Achievement |
Details |
| England’s World Cup Winner (2019) |
Took 3 wickets in the final |
| Highest 9th-wicket ODI partnership for England |
100 runs with Vikram Solanki (2005) |
| Most Consecutive Matches Missed Before an ODI Recall |
74 games |
| Took 3 wickets in 2017 ODI Series Win Against West Indies |
4/40 in 1st ODI |
| First England Bowler to Dismiss Kane Williamson in a World Cup Final |
2019 |
Why is Liam Plunkett Famous?
Liam Plunkett is best known for:
His middle-over wicket-taking ability in ODIs.
His crucial role in England’s 2019 World Cup victory.
His remarkable comeback after being dropped from international cricket.
Playing a key role in England’s modern-day white-ball revolution.
Liam Plunkett Latest News & Updates
Stay updated with the latest on
Liam Plunkett, including:
His performances in
Major League Cricket (MLC).
News on his
coaching career and fast-bowling mentorship.
Updates on
potential involvement with USA Cricket.
Check out the Latest News on Liam Plunkett!
