Following in His Grandfather's Footsteps
John Turner, grandson of South African rugby star Freddy Turner, is making a name for himself in the world of cricket. While his grandfather achieved fame on the rugby field, John is blazing his own trail on the cricket pitch.
A Sporting Lineage
Freddy Turner was a rugby legend who played for the Springboks between 1933 and 1938. He played a key role in series wins over New Zealand and Australia, earning the Springboks the title of the greatest team to ever visit New Zealand. Freddy's sporting legacy lives on through his grandson, John Turner.
From South Africa to England
Although John Turner supports South Africa in rugby, he is committed to representing England in cricket. Thanks to his mother's British passport, Turner became eligible to play for England last summer. He is now hoping to make his mark on the international stage as part of England's cricket team.
Aiming for Success
Turner, 22, is determined to help England revive their limited-overs domination. After a disappointing performance in the recent ICC Cricket World Cup, England captain Jos Buttler is looking for fresh talent to strengthen the team. Turner is eager to prove himself during the upcoming tour of the West Indies.
A No-Brainer Decision
Reflecting on his choice to play for England, Turner said, "My dream growing up was always to play international cricket and try to be the best in the world at it… the door opened for me to potentially play for England and it was a no brainer for me."
Impressive Skills
Turner's fast bowling skills have caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts. In last season's T20 Blast for Hampshire, he took 21 wickets in 11 appearances with an impressive economy rate of 6.67. Despite being ruled out due to injury for England's four-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand, Turner has been awarded a development contract by the ECB and a spot in the T20 squads to face the West Indies.
With his talent and determination, John Turner is set to make a name for himself in the world of cricket, following in the footsteps of his legendary grandfather.
