Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012 | Page 63

INTERVIEW
Club, and playing as often as I could.
“I was spotted by Hampshire while
I was playing age-group games for
Ventnor when I was about 10, and
they invited me for trials. Luckily I got
into the age-group side and was there
all the way through to the Academy.”
He continued: “Over the years I
have talked to other spin bowlers, and
although I have never really modelled
myself on anyone, I admire the New
Zealand player Daniel Vettori who is
a left arm spinner like myself, so it is
useful to watch him and try to learn
from him.”
When Danny made his full
international debut for England on
February 21 this year against Pakistan
in the fourth One Day International at
the DSC Cricket Stadium in Dubai, he
became the first international cricketer
to be born on the Isle of Wight.
He said modestly: “At the moment
it is all about concentrating on my
game with Hampshire, and trying
to do the best I can for them, and if
further England honours follow, then
that would be great. It is good to get
the recognition I have already received,
so we shall have to wait and see what
happens from here.
“Spin bowling is quite a competitive
market at international level with
players like Graeme Swann and Monty
Panesar having established themselves
in t