Dominic Sibley delight as Test call-up arrives at last

The 24-year-old opener has racked up more than 1,300 County Championship runs for the Bears this season – including five centuries – at an average of nearly 70.

That had prompted many to call for his inclusion in England’s Test squad to come sooner than the tour to New Zealand – especially with the struggles of the likes of Jason Roy at the top of the order in the drawn Ashes series.

Indeed, many of Sibley’s friends and family had already began to assume it was a formality that he would be included for the two Test matches in Mount Maunganui and Hamilton in late November and early December.

However, the call has now come from chief selector Ed Smith and the former Surrey man couldn’t be happier.

“There have been a few articles written in the last few days and my friends and family have been saying ‘oh, you’re picked’ but until you get that confirmation you can’t think about it too much” said Sibley.

“So it’s a thrill to have it confirmed and to be going away with England to New Zealand is really pleasing. We’ll see how it goes out there and hopefully I will get a Test match.”

He added this season’s form has been down to making a few changes that have paid off handsomely.

“I have been pleased with my consistency,” Sibley continued.

“It has been down to a combination of a few things – a few changes technically and, to an extent, taking responsibility because we have had a few younger lads in the Warwickshire batting line-up.

“With batting it is just a case of getting in the groove and on a roll and I have done that.”

Now he hopes to resume his friendship with former team-mate Rory Burns out in the middle for his country.

“Rory Burns has scored runs in championship cricket over the years and he got his chance so that showed what can happen,” added Sibley, who moved to Edgbaston from the Oval initially on loan two years ago before a permanent switch last year. “I made my Surrey second-team debut opening with Rory and made my first-team debut with him and he is a good mate so it will be great to be alongside him in the England squad.”