David Payne is guaranteed never to forget his England debut against the Netherlands at Amstelveen last month. But just in case memories dim of the match that saw him play a part in clinching a 3-0 series win, the 31-year-old Gloucestershire seamer collected some interesting souvenirs.
They include the ball with which Payne claimed his first international wicket, the shirt he wore signed by the entire England team, his newly-earned cap and a video of it being presented.
He told me: “I won’t be treating the cap as a souvenir yet because I hope to use it again! One of the umpires very kindly held back the ball I had bowled with in the game and gave it to me afterwards.
“That will go on display at my house, along with the framed shirt. The England media guys took a video to put on social media and I asked for a copy of that for my parents and sister Becky to see.”
Not that Payne needs any props right now to rekindle images of the biggest day in his cricketing life.
He said: “One thing I will never forget is Jos Buttler calling me from along the hallway at the team hotel the evening before the game and saying: ‘You are going to make your debut tomorrow.’
“He shook my hand and offered some words of wisdom. I was glad not to have known any earlier because the adrenalin, excitement and nerves immediately kicked in. I didn’t get to sleep until much before midnight and woke up before 6am, struggling to get back to sleep.
“The other big memory is of the cap presentation, made to me by Mark Alleyne before the game. It was very special to have my family with me. My wife Millie and 14-month-old daughter Ferne were welcomed into the team huddle for the presentation and Ferne made her presence felt with a few noises.
“My brother Richard had flown over from Luton early that morning, which was a wonderful surprise. Gloucestershire team-mates Ryan Higgins and Graeme van Buuren also caught an early flight from Bristol, having told me to let them know the night before if I was playing.
“Having Richard Dawson, as well as Mark Alleyne, on the England coaching staff, with their strong Gloucestershire associations, had already made it a great week for me.”
After seeing a catch dropped off his bowling, Payne had to wait until his final over to take the much-prized first England wicket, that of Scott Edwards.
“It was the 49th over of the game. Before bowling it, I turned to Jason Roy at mid-on and said: ‘I could really do with this guy chipping one up in the air. That’s just what he did. It was a slower ball, an off-cutter, and he toed it straight to Jason. Another moment I will never forget.
“Overall, I was very pleased with how I bowled. You always want more wickets, but I felt I could take pride in my performance.
“Then to win the game and be involved in the trophy presentation and photographs was very special. It was all so new to me.
“Coach Matthew Mott told me he would give me a call at some point to offer clarity on things going forward. There can be no guarantees at this stage of my career, but whatever happens I had an experience many very good players don’t get to sample.”
