All-rounder has switched roles and counties over the years but is now the country’s top wicket taker – with England ambitions
The Spin is, admittedly, late to the tale. We’re up in the scorer’s box at the Oval, two days on from Surrey’s County Championship victory over Kent, two days away from the visit of Hampshire to close April’s proceedings. Cameron Steel has already spoken to the Times and the Cricketer about his 20 wickets for the defending champions at 12.15 after three rounds, his leg-spin making him the leading wicket-taker in the country. After we’re done talking, a Cricinfo journalist will run through a set of similar questions for the 28-year-old.
Yes, in a county side consisting of England internationals, Indian Premier League starters and clutch overseas pros, Steel – a polite, unassuming all-rounder largely unknown beyond the shires – is the man to speak to at present. “I could never have expected the stats to be the way they are,” he says. “But I’ve felt as though it’s been a long time coming for my bowling to get to this point.”
