England v Sri Lanka: Seamer Tymal Mills delivers pace-bowling demo

England hopeful has express pace - and an excellent slower ball

By David Ruse

Sussex paceman Tymal Mills gives his top fast-bowling tips. Will he make his England debut in Tuesday’s T20 international against Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka will need their wits about them if searing left-arm paceman Tymal Mills makes his England debut in Tuesday's Twenty20 international at The Ageas Bowl, live on Sky Sports 2.

Mills has been called up by his country following some devastating performances for Sussex in the NatWest T20 Blast, including bowling Chris Gayle with a 93mph yorker in a game against Somerset.

However, the 23-year-old, whose congenital back condition now prevents him from playing four-day cricket, is also extremely adept at delivering the slower ball, as he proves in the video above.

I might grip the ball differently depending on length but I try to get my arm over as fast as I can so the batsmen don't notice the difference until it's too late.
Tymal Mills on his slower ball

"I'm quite lucky that I am quite flexible in my shoulders and can get my arm over at a good angle," the seamer told Rob Key during his bowling demo for Sky Sports.

"I might grip the ball differently depending on length but I try to get my arm over as fast as I can so the batsmen don't notice the difference until it's too late."

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Mills' skipper at Sussex, Luke Wright, was also part of the demo and revealed that he never asks his bowler to swap express speed for control.

Image: Mills recently took 3-15 against Kent in the NatWest T20 Blast

"Pace gives you a chance to get the best batters out," said Wright. "The role as captain is to not worry if he goes for runs as he is there to get wickets."

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Nasser Hussain was certainly impressed by Mills when he commentated on the former Essex quick's display against Somerset at Hove earlier in the campaign.

"Other than the fear of him snapping, there is no reason this lad shouldn't play T20 for England or domestically around the world," added the Sky Sports expert.

He bowled out world superstar Gayle and showed he has a brilliant slower ball as well as a brilliant faster ball - in terms of raw ability, he has it all.
Nasser Hussain

"He bowled out world superstar Gayle and showed he has a brilliant slower ball as well as a brilliant faster ball - in terms of raw ability, he has it all."

Mills starred against England back in 2013, striking Graeme Swann on the arm and picking up the wickets of Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott while bowling for Essex, but will he star for his country in Southampton on Tuesday night?

Find out by watching England's Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka from 6pm, Tuesday on Sky Sports 2.

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