Nottinghamshire Outlaws star Harry Gurney not bitter over lack of England chances

Nottinghamshire bowler Harry Gurney says he is not bitter about his lack of chances for England.
Harry Gurney played just 12 times for England despite being a top T20 player. (Photo by Sarah Ansell/Getty Images)Harry Gurney played just 12 times for England despite being a top T20 player. (Photo by Sarah Ansell/Getty Images)
Harry Gurney played just 12 times for England despite being a top T20 player. (Photo by Sarah Ansell/Getty Images)

Gurney (33) has won seven white-ball trophies around the world during an impressive career in T20 cricket.

But it failed to peak the interest of the England selectors, with Gurney playing just 12 times for his country.

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He made his last appearance way back in 2014, but continued to enjoy plenty of success in domestic cricket with trophy wins in Australia, the UAE, the Caribbean and on home turf.

But, despite the lack of opportunities, the Outlaws’ paceman says he remains proud to have represented the three-lines.

“I am really proud of representing England 12 times,” said Gurney, who was speaking to the Two Hacks, One Pro podcast.

“If I’m honest I feel unlucky to not have played more but I promised myself that I wouldn’t become one of those blokes traipsing the circuit saying how hard done to I was.

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“I would have obviously have loved to play on for longer, particularly in T20s, but I am equally proud of what I've achieved since.

"It’s turned out to be a great work/life balance, and I think I'm a better bowler now than when I first got picked."

Despite the inevitable disappointment at the time, Gurney has remained philosophical about missing out on a World Cup berth in 2015.

“When I got dropped from the ODI team, it was just before the World Cup in Australia and myself, and believe it or not Stokesy (Ben Stokes) didn’t get picked from the tour prior to that.

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“At the time, I wasn’t overly bitter about it and didn’t feel hard done to when I looked at the squad they had picked.

“When you look at how well England have done in white ball cricket over the past few years, it is really difficult to dispute that they have selected well and played great cricket.

“I feel unlucky not to have played more T20s for England but I am quite realistic and pragmatic about ODIs.

“Looking back at having played 10 ODIs and 2 T20Is, you would have probably expected it to be the other way around, even I would confess that.”

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