Scott George Borthwick is an English cricketer who has established himself as a talented No. 3 batter in County Championship-winning teams at Durham and Surrey. Born on April 19, 1990, in Sunderland, England, Borthwick initially made his mark as a legspinner before transitioning into a batting role.
Borthwick’s cricketing journey began at a young age, honing his skills in the local league system in Durham. His talent and dedication stood out, and at the age of 19, he found himself thrust into the spotlight during a Pro40 game in 2009. Unfortunately, this memorable moment was not for his benefit, as he was hit for five successive sixes by James Foster of Essex, leading to a defeat for his team. Despite the setback, Borthwick’s skills as a spin bowler caught the attention of selectors.
In 2011, Borthwick made his international debut for England in a One Day International against Ireland. He continued to impress, earning further recognition in a T20 match against West Indies and during a tour to India later that year. His legspin was considered promising, leading to his selection for the Ashes tour in 2013-14, where he earned his Test cap. However, his foray into international cricket as a bowler was short-lived, as he was soon overshadowed by his prowess with the bat.
Despite his initial success as a legspinner, Borthwick redirected his focus towards batting. He passed the milestone of scoring 1000 runs in a season for the first time in 2013 when Durham clinched their third County Championship title in six seasons. His batting abilities continued to flourish, with him surpassing the 1000-run mark in the following three summers. In 2015, his impressive tally of 1286 Division One runs made him one of the highest scorers in the league, second only to James Hildreth.
However, Borthwick’s form wavered after being mentioned by national coach Trevor Bayliss. His legspin suffered, partly due to unfavorable playing conditions at Chester-le-Street. Despite the setbacks, Borthwick’s commitment to his team remained unwavering. Amidst financial struggles at Durham, he made the move to Surrey at the end of the 2016 season, following the path of his teammate Mark Stoneman. Initially, he faced challenges adapting to his new surroundings but found his rhythm, averaging an impressive 40.36 during Surrey’s title-winning campaign in 2018.
After spending two seasons mainly focused on red-ball cricket, Borthwick decided to negotiate a release from the final year of his Surrey contract in order to return to his boyhood club, Durham, in 2021. His goal was to assist Durham in regaining their status in the top division, and by 2023, he helped achieve that objective. Borthwick described this achievement as his most special one at the club, despite his individual success in batting.
Throughout his career, Borthwick’s dedication to the sport and his desire to achieve success have been evident. While his legspin may have taken a backseat, his prowess as a No. 3 batter has solidified his position in the County Championship. Borthwick’s journey serves as a testament to his perseverance and passion for cricket, and he continues to make significant contributions to the sport he loves.
