Mark Daniel Stoneman is a left-handed opening batsman from England. Known for his phlegmatic and understated playing style, he made his mark as one of the most reliable opening batsmen in county cricket during his time at Durham.
Born on November 26, 1987, Stoneman had to wait until his 30th birthday to receive his call-up to the England national team. His wealth of experience in the domestic circuit proved valuable during England’s 2017-18 tour of Australia, where he provided some stubborn resistance against the Australian bowlers. However, he was unable to convert his five half-centuries into big scores and was eventually dropped from the team after just 11 Tests, with an average of 27.
Prior to his international career, Stoneman had established himself as a formidable opening batsman for Durham. He excelled in the English game’s most northern outpost and became a reliable run-scorer. However, as Durham faced financial difficulties, Stoneman made a significant move to Surrey, where he reunited with his former Durham mentor Michael di Venuto, who was now the coach at Surrey. This move revitalized his career, and his strong performances earned him a spot in the England squad for the Ashes tour in 2017-18.
Stoneman’s first season with Surrey was prolific, as he scored over 1,000 first-class runs and earned three Test caps against the West Indies. He also played a crucial role in Surrey’s successful Royal London Cup campaign, scoring an impressive 144 in the final against Notts.
Despite his initial success, Stoneman struggled to regain his form after being dropped from the England team in 2018. He endured two lean seasons in 2019 and 2020, prompting a move to Middlesex midway through the 2021 season. Upon his arrival, he made an immediate impact, scoring centuries in two out of his first four games and surpassing 1,000 runs for the season in 2022.
Stoneman’s cricketing journey began at a young age, and he represented England at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels. However, his initial international experience was disappointing, as he struggled to perform during the 2006 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Frustrated by his poor performances, he even vented his frustration by trashing a dressing room after being dropped.
Stoneman broke into the Durham first team at the age of 20, showcasing his potential with a half-century in his second match and a patient century against Sussex. It took him several years to establish himself as a regular opener, but he eventually became an integral part of Durham’s squad. He played a vital role in their Championship-winning campaigns in 2008 and 2009 and was named the club’s Batsmen of the Year in 2012.
In addition to his success in red-ball cricket, Stoneman also excelled in limited-overs formats. His outstanding performances in the 40-over format in 2012 earned him accolades, including an unbeaten 136 against Scotland, which was then his highest score.
Despite experiencing ups and downs throughout his career, Mark Stoneman remains a determined and resilient cricketer. With a renewed sense of purpose at Middlesex, he aims to regain his form and make a strong comeback in domestic and potentially international cricket.
