LONDON, Oct 20: Paceman Liam Plunkett has admitted his surprise at the speed of his promotion into England’s cricket squad to tour Pakistan this winter. The 20-year-old seamer’s goal at the start of summer was to claim 50 wickets and force his way into this winter’s Academy intake at Loughborough University with a view to claiming a place on A tour to West Indies in new year.

But instead of weeks of indoor training, Plunkett was promoted into senior squad who fly out for an eight-week tour to Pakistan next Tuesday.

Initially included in one-day squad for Pakistan, Plunkett received his second call in a week from chairman of selectors David Graveney to inform him he had been promoted to Test squad following Simon Jones’ withdrawal with an ankle injury.

“At start of the year my aim was to get 50 wickets and get picked for the Academy so it was amazing to get phone call from David Graveney to tell me I was being selected for one-dayers,” enthused Plunkett.

“Then I got another call from David Graveney a week later to say I was taking over from Simon Jones. I never thought about any of that at start of the year - my main aim was to get wickets regularly and everything else has just been a massive bonus.”

He met majority of Test squad during training at Loughborough this week, and accepted he may struggle to force his way into Test side despite squad being reduced to 16 by Chris Tremlett’s withdrawal.

“My chances of playing have increased by injuries and the fact they aren’t taking another bowler, but I don’t want to get too big for my boots — if I get picked it’s going to be a massive bonus but if I’m just part of squad then that will be equally good.”—PPI