Lewis Hall is hoping he will have to miss a second summer of cricket as he chases his World Cup dream.
The Newcastle left-back has earned a first call-up under Thomas Tuchel for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
He will have the chance to earn a place in Tuchel’s squad for the summer tournament in North America, meaning he will be unavailable for a second successive year of village cricket for Berkshire club Binfield.
The 21-year-old skipped last season in order to focus on his recovery from injury but he is hoping to miss it for a much more positive reason this year.
“I didn’t play last summer because I was going through my injury and was so focused on that,” he said. “And I’m hoping I don’t get to play any cricket this summer either.
“I always played throughout my childhood, like a lot of my friends who did. It’s always been a good social thing for me.
“Although I’m playing at the level I am now with my football, I’m always the same person.
“So if I was playing cricket at eight years old, even though I’m playing football now, I don’t see a reason to stop. I enjoy spending time with my mates.
“I wouldn’t say I’m great. A decent enough village player. I was a bit of an all-rounder when I was younger. Now, I’m more of a batter.”
Hall was handed his debut during Lee Carsley’s temporary reign in 2024 but he has now rejoined a fierce battle for the left-back spot, which has seen Myles Lewis-Skelley, Tino Livramento and Nico O’Reilly contest a place in Tuchel’s side.
He has used his time away from the group as a learning mission to hit the ground running upon his return.
“I’ve always watched the England games, especially the ones in September. I always had the aim to be here in the camp now,” he said.
“I wanted to watch and absorb the style that the team plays.
“So if I’m selected, I should have a bit more of an understanding of the way the team wanted to play. I was able to take some information in and store it.”
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