Joburg-born John Turner is eager to see how he matches up to fellow fast bowler Jofra Archer as he bids to make his England debut against Australia this month.

Turner was head boy at Hilton College in 2019, where he was coached by former Proteas batsman and Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein.

He was then part of the Lions Academy intake in April 2020 before heading to England to join Hampshire.

The 23-year-old, who has a British passport through his mother, will be vying with the likes of Archer, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone and Reece Topley for a place in the team.

But England, with five ODIs in 11 days against 50-over world champions Australia starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday, could rotate their fast bowlers.

Turner is capable of bowling in excess of 145km/h, but accepts he has a way to go to rival express quick Archer.

“I’ve never spent time in the same team as Jof and I probably won’t be as quick as him,” Turner said on Tuesday. “But if I’m bowling with him, if I see his speed on the board, I’ll be like ‘let me see if I can match him’.

“I’m naturally competitive and I’ll want to try be the quickest. It’s not trying to necessarily be, but it’s probably healthy competition if we have that as well. We’ll bring out the best of everyone.”

Turner, an unused squad member during England’s tour to the Caribbean last year, has found form in recent weeks with Hampshire and Hundred side Trent Rockets after missing the start of the season with injury.

And while he said “pace is my point of difference,” Turner stressed there was more to his game than sheer speed alone.

“I do have one or two other skills and I’m also looking to improve other skills. White-ball stuff is just variations, having probably more options to go to and then getting better at executing them,” he explained.

“Then red-ball stuff, just being more consistent and probably a bit more skilful with swing or nip and setting up batsmen. The more you play the better you’ll naturally get.

“I definitely would say I’m in a much better place now than I was this time last year, but I’ve still got quite a long way to go. I’m not anywhere near the finished product.”

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