Who is Michael Pepper? Everything You Need to Know About England’s Latest Recruit

Young batsman Michael Pepper, who receives his first call-up, has been added to England’s ODI team for the West Indies tour. Jos Buttler, who is still recuperating from a calf injury, is replaced by Pepper. Buttler was initially anticipated to make a comeback for the West Indies tour, but a little setback in his recuperation has caused him to postpone his return.

Buttler is expected to arrive just before the T20I series and Liam Livingstone will lead the team in his absence. This was the reason why Pepper was selected because he has been consistently performing well in domestic white-ball leagues.

For the first time, the flamboyant batter will don the England colors and he will have a great opportunity to show his potential on such a big stage. Pepper’s incoming style will add fierceness to the batting line-up, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

With Pepper in the mix, England’s ODI team is starting to take form. Pepper’s debut will be eagerly observed, and the West Indies tour looks to be a fascinating challenge. All eyes will be on the young batter to leave a lasting impression as England gets ready for the series.

Michael Pepper Domestic Career:

In 2018, wicketkeeper-batter Michael Pepper inked a summer deal with Essex following a series of strong showings for the second XI in 2017. Pepper participated in the East Anglian Premier League as a club cricket player for Cambridge Granta.

He got his Championship debut in that June playing against Somerset at the Chelmsford in a day-night match. In June Essex let go of their seasoned goalkeeper James Foster to free agency on the basis that he was the best in the business.

It was in LOI that Pepper performed best, making 92 in his fourth first-class match against Durham at Chester-le-Street in the early part of 2021.

He was the highest run-scorer for Essex in the Blast, and he went a step higher the following summer scoring 439 runs with a strike rate of 163.19 that saw him drafted into the Hundred as a replacement for Northern Superchargers.