India vs England 2016: Everything you need to know about Keaton Jennings
When Haseeb Hameed had to leave the India tour injured, things did not look too good for England as the young opener had been in stellar form. But they seem to have found a worthy replacement in their young opener Keaton Jennings who has now hit a century on his debut.
Ahead of the fourth Test, Jennings had said, "I think there is pressure, but it is a privilege. That is one of the things my dad has been trying to train me as a kid. I would love to bring in some positive energy into the group.
"I am a happy guy and would look to bring in smiles into the squad. We are 2-0 down and obviously it is tough, but hopefully, we throw a few jabs and a few hand-makers. Also, would love to throw some punches back."
Jennings was certainly not feeling the blues as he struck a superb century on debut, scoring 112 before falling to Ravichandran Ashwin. It was his century that laid the foundation to England's 288 for 5 after the first day's play at Mumbai.
Here are a few things to know about the talented England opener:
#1 Jennings became the 14th overseas player and only the second England batsman to score a century on debut against India. The 24-year old also became the 19th England batsman to achieve this feat, joining an illustrious list comprising the likes of WG Grace, Graham Thorpe, Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott.
#2 Born on June 19,1992 in Johannesburg, he still has a marked South African accent and his cricketing heroes were all Australian but he maintains that he is 'very English' at heart. He follows a prominent line of South African cricketers like Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen who went on to play for England.
#3 He is the son of Ray Jennings who had an illustrious first-class career and made 14 appearances for his country against rebel touring sides during South Africa's years of isolation. He went on to coach the U-19 team and the national side in 2004 before being appointed as the coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
#4 When he was five years old, Keaton Jennings along with his elder brother Dylan was coached by his father in the nets at Dainfern, a luxury walled golf estate in Johannesburg. It was upon his father's insistence that both the brothers became lefties though they were naturally right-handed. Their father also asked them to call him "coach" which is a habit he holds on to still today.
#5 At 16, he spent a month at Northants with Andrew Hall and came back to tell his parents that he wanted to take up cricket professionally as a career.
#6 During his first year at school at King Edward VII in Johannesburg - the same school that Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie went to - he captained the U-19 South African team in England. The side was coached by his father and it also included the then budding South African wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.
#7 Upon their return, he went and joined the Durham academy in England. Speaking about the decision his father had said, "There were some communication issues and a bit of a blockage here in South Africa, so we made our decision early," says Ray. "It wasn't easy, but in those years you had some serious talent up ahead. We always felt that Keaton might stand a better chance in what is a very good English system."
#8 In 2012, he was chosen by Durham to play in a tour game against Australia but he could not take part as the fact that he had captained the U-19 South African team got in the way.
#9 Just 72 hours back, he was in the UAE playing for the Lions. He later conceded that he had an incredible last three days and woke up in the morning believing that he had missed the team bus. “I woke up at five o’clock this morning thinking I had missed the team bus so I jumped out of bed panicking over where everything is, I settled myself down and then saw the time,” Jennings said.
#10 He continues to share a good relationship with his father. Speaking about him, he said, " We share a very good relation. We chatted quite a lot over the last week and a half. From a playing point of view, he just told me to enjoy the process and the culture of India. In 2012, I came here with my dad during the IPL. I was a bit of a tourist and I really enjoyed it."
#11 He has had a fine 2016 as he has been named the County Championship player of the year by the Cricket Writers' Club for a season in which he has been the leading run-getter with 1,548 runs at an average of 64.5 with 7 centuries and a double century against Yorkshire. His career-best 88 in the final of the NatWest Blast was also the highest score during Twenty20 finals day.
#12 He averages 35.89 in his first-class career with 16 fifties and 12 centuries, the first of which came in July 2013, at home against Derbyshire.
#13 His father had to miss the illustrious moment when Jennings scored his maiden ton due to a power failure at their holiday home at Mauritius. The power cut happened when Jennings was batting on 96 and it came back on when he was on 111.
Speaking about the incident his father told ESPN Cricinfo, "My family have sent me some videos of the shot that got him to the hundred. "This is the best day of my sporting life. My nerves are shot. You train your kid from the age of five and you see the fire in him, you see his disappointments and his success. It's just wonderful. This is his glory."