Essex batter Robin Das ready for more One Day Cup action

If the newbies in the Essex squad for the Metro Bank One-Day Cup this week seek inspiration for their future careers, they need look no further than Robin Das.

The 21-year-old was one of the stand-out alumni of the 2022 50-over intake who has graduated to making regular appearances for the first team this season, reaching a pinnacle with a quick-fire century on first-class debut against Ireland in May.

Das played all seven games in last year’s Royal London One-Day Cup, amassing 202 runs at an average of nearly 29 with a top score of 63.

“I’d played a couple of T20s before, but that was my first consistent run of games. It obviously meant a lot playing for the first team,” he said.

“It’s always your goal, your ambition, when you’re in the Academy and wanting to play professional cricket.”

And with more than half the regular first team seconded to The Hundred, Das added: “This competition is a really good opportunity for a lot of youngsters and whoever the equivalent of me is in this year’s crop for Essex.

“I think that once you get the taste of first-team cricket you realise that is what you want to do. It’s the level you want to compete at. The One-Day Cup is definitely a good way to whet your appetite for professional cricket.”

The Leytonstone-born right-hander who played through the county age groups from under-nines upwards, not only made an immediate impact against the Irish but produced some key contributions last month to help Essex to the final of the Vitality Blast.

“I’ve played a bit more cricket now, so I feel there could be experiences I can pass on to the youngsters coming along, the likes of Noah Thain and Charlie Allison, who might play a part in this 50-over comp. I’ve been in their position and hopefully I can pass on my knowledge,” he said.

“I remember when I came into the first team, they made me feel really welcome, taking an interest in me and imparting as much knowledge as they could. Our dressing room is a very comfortable environment to be in, which takes a lot of pressure off young cricketers coming through.”

Of the young tyros waiting their turn, Das added: “Charlie and Noah are both very young [at 18] and look incredibly talented from what I’ve seen of them. I think they could have a really good run in the tournament if they get a chance.

“We’re got other talented guys like Jamal [Richards] and Luc [Benkenstein], who both played last year. Whoever gets the nod will do well.”

Das has been a moveable feast in the Essex white-ball batting line-up over the past 12 months, filling any of the positions from opener to number five or six.

“I think it’s good to be as versatile as you can. It helps you be pickable for as many different teams as possible. To be able to play anywhere is definitely a good skill to have,” he said.

A close study of Das’s stats show that he has a strike-rate in excess of 100 in each of the three formats, meaning he scores at more than a run a ball.

His rate of 116 per 100 balls was the highest for Essex in last year’s Royal London Cup and he struck at 161 in the recent T20 Blast. He cranked up for the Metro Bank-sponsored competition with a rapid 68 from 51 balls in the rain-curtailed warm-up against Bedfordshire on Sunday.

“It’s not a conscious thing, it’s just naturally how I play, how I look to go about my batting,” he said.

“I’m just generally quite a positive batsman. I look to take a positive route whenever there is an opportunity. I look to take the bowlers on all the time. That’s how I express myself on the cricket field.”

The One-Day Cup campaign kicks off tomorrow against Lancashire at Sedburgh, scene of Das’s aborted List A debut a year ago.

“It was a long travel up for a game to be rained off. Hopefully this time we’ll get a full game in – and get a win as well,” he said.