Liam Plunkett's selection for England's tour of Pakistan and India in 2005-06 represented the culmination of a two-year rise to prominence. Having made his first-class debut for Durham in 2003, Plunkett took on immediate responsibilities in the absence of Steve Harmison and the injured Mark Davies, and in 2005 took 50 wickets in a season for the first time. Not dissimilar to the young Harmison in build or bowling style, he also has the makings of a useful allrounder, as he demonstrated with a composed half-century in only his second one-day international against Pakistan. Earlier on that tour, following the withdrawal of Simon Jones with an ankle injury, Plunkett had made his Test debut as well, acquitting himself well in the midst of a thumping innings defeat at Lahore. His second Test, against India at Mohali the following March, was less successful, but at the age of 20, he had undoubtedly marked himself out as one for the future. Selected for England's Test series against Sri Lanka, he struggled at times but took 3 for 43 at Edgbaston in England's win. A side strain forced him out of the remaining two Tests against the touring Pakistanis but he was selected for England's Ashes campaign in Australia. For seven gruelling weeks he was the forgotten man of the tour, but then - come the one-dayers - he seized his opportunity to impress with 12 wickets in the series, including 3 for 43 in the decisive second final against Australia. It was a performance that secured his World Cup passage, though he only played three games and lacked the incisiveness he had shown in Australia.