For a time Jake Ball looked as if he might be the latest in a long line of Australia fast bowlers to torment England.
Instead Ball, who was born in Ascot, the commuter town south-west of London best known for its racecourse, will try to inflict pain of a different kind on his homeland when he starts in the second row for Wales against England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Sunday.
Until the age of 16, Ball lived in Ascot, where his Welsh-born father played rugby union for London Welsh and Harlequins, and there took his first steps in sport.
But after his family emigrated to Australia when he was 17, Ball made rapid progress, in every sense, as a fast bowler.
He was still playing rugby, though, and despite pleas from former Australia batsman Geoff Marsh and the looming possibility of a professional cricket contract, the 22-year-old decided his heart was in the 15-man game.
Having trained with Super Rugby team Western Force, the Scarlets were alerted to his progress and he joined the Welsh region on a trial.
He then overcame a knee injury as he forced his way into the Llanelli-based team and this Six Nations saw him make his Wales debut, off the bench, in a 26-3 thrashing by Ireland.
Two weeks ago his first Test came in rushed fashion when, shortly before kick off against France, lock Alun-Wyn Jones pulled out with a foot infection.
Ball looked anything but out of place as the two-time defending champions Wales thumped France 27-6 in Cardiff.
Now he will start against England after Luke Charteris pulled out with a neck injury on Friday.
“Luke copped the knock quite early in the week, so I was training in that starting role anyway,” said Ball. “I think even when you are on the bench, you approach it as if you are going to start.
“Against France, it was quite a last-minute thing, which was quite nice to be honest.
“It didn’t give me a lot of time to think about it – I could just get out there and play.
“I didn’t know what I was running out into. I didn’t expect the lights to be off, the fireworks and everything else. It all just flashed by really quickly. It’s a dream, isn’t it, to play international rugby?”
Spectators should have little problem identifying Ball given he sports a bushy beard worthy of England cricket great W G Grace.
“I grew it for charity and I said I would grow it for a season,” Ball said. “I last shaved in July, so it’s been a while.
“It has brought me some luck, so I might grow a beard a year, but I am not sure the fiancee will be happy with that.”
sports@thenational.ae
