Tom Loten is aiming to take a leaf out of Steve Patterson’s book as he bids to become a greater and more utilised threat with the ball.
The 23-year-old all-rounder is currently playing his sixth first-class game, against Lancashire at Headingley, and claimed his maiden wickets on day two.
Loten, for example, made his first-class and LV= Insurance County Championship debut against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in late 2019 as a top order batter. He scored 58 in that rain-affected draw.
At present, he is being used differently, as a genuine seam option who is batting down the order.
During the latter stages of Lancashire’s first-innings 566-9 declared, the seamer claimed his first two wickets – Tom Bailey superbly caught and bowled one-handed and Luke Wood caught pulling to deep backward square-leg.
“I’m 6ft, 5inches, so it would be a waste if I didn’t use that,” he said. “When I get it right, I feel like I can be a threat and can compete at this level. I just need to keep working hard.
“Bowling above 80mph consistently is something I’m working towards. I think I can do it the odd ball at the moment. But, more importantly in first-class cricket – as Patto does, it’s about controlling your line and length. That’s the biggest thing I need to work on.
“It was good to get a couple of poles even though they weren’t as early as I’d have liked and it’s not gone the way we wanted it to.
“But it was good to be able to show a bit of character, stick in and get a couple at the end.”
Loten, who was part of an attack which took six wickets from lunchtime onwards, continued: “I feel I bowled better today.
“Yesterday, a few nerves crept in and there were a few loose balls. I was happy with how I bowled. They’re in a good position, looking to score, but I thought we kept fighting and controlled the run-rate to an extent.”
Loten actually ended the day at the crease as nightwatchman, unbeaten on three, with Yorkshire 53-2.
And on the state of the game and Yorkshire’s target from here, he added: “We now have to try and bat big and bat long. That’s the only chat in the dressing room.”
