Tom Hartley, a talented cricketer, has been named as one of the spinners in England's Test squad for their upcoming tour in India. Despite his success in cricket, Tom is often reminded of his father, Bill Hartley, a former Great Britain 400m runner and gold medalist.

Continuing the Family Legacy

Tom Hartley, 24, has already made his mark in cricket with two England ODI caps and 40 first-class wickets to his name. He was also part of the England Lions squad that trained in the United Arab Emirates recently. Now, he is set to be a key member of England's four-pronged spin option for the Test team in India.

Meanwhile, Tom's father, Bill Hartley, achieved great success in athletics. He won a gold medal for Great Britain in the 1974 European Championships and a silver medal in the same year at the Commonwealth Games. Today, Bill proudly supports his son as he continues the family's sporting legacy.

A Father's Influence

In an interview with The Cricketer, Tom spoke about his father's support and influence on his sporting career. He mentioned how his father never pressured him to follow in his footsteps in athletics and was happy to see him pursue his own path in cricket. Tom also highlighted his father's knowledge and experience as a professional athlete, which he has found invaluable in his own training and development.

Tom's father has been a rock for him, providing guidance and expertise whenever needed. He has even offered to help Tom improve his speed through sprint training, using his extensive knowledge in the field. Tom is determined to make his father proud and achieve his own sporting success.

Next Steps for Tom Hartley

In April 2022, Tom was bought by the Manchester Originals for the 2022 season of The Hundred. He made his ODI debut for England against Ireland in September and is now gearing up to represent his country in the five Tests during their tour of India. The first match is scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on Thursday, January 25th.

As Tom Hartley continues to carve out his own path in cricket, he will always carry with him the inspiration and support of his gold medalist father, Bill Hartley.