James Minto: 'It's been tough, but I know my mum would be proud'

The Under-19 World Cup is a formative experience in the career of any young cricketer lucky enough to make it there. But for James Minto, this year's edition in Zimbabwe carried the extra burden of grief.

It was there last March, on Durham's pre-season tour - which began with a maiden first-class five-wicket haul for Minto - that news reached him that his mother, Jemma, had fallen ill. He flew home immediately and spent five days by her side in hospital before she passed at the age of 50.

"I was pretty sceptical about it - just knowing it would bring a lot of emotions back," Minto tells ESPNcricinfo of returning to Zimbabwe in January. "I was really looking forward to the World Cup, and it was something I wanted to do for a long, long time. But it was tricky going back there.

"The same flights. The same hotels. The same grounds. I remember we were at the same ground when I first heard what was going on - the Takashinga Sports Club, in Harare. Even the first night in the hotel, I couldn't sleep. I got through it and it got easier as it went on."

Last Wednesday, March 25, marked a year since Jemma's death. As a single mother, she raised James along with elder brother George (20) and younger brother Teddy (17) - a left-arm spinner also on the books at Durham.

Jemma is the reason James is "here" - as an 18-year-old touted as a future England player, another bright talent joining the line behind the likes of Test captain Ben Stokes as the latest star from the north-east. One who clocked 87mph on his County Championship debut against Surrey in 2024, and a tidy batter who became Durham's youngest half-centurion as a nightwatcher against Nottinghamshire in 2025.

Ever since Jemma spotted James' interest in cricket, she pushed him, and then Teddy, towards the game, ferrying them to home and away matches, whether for local club Norton - a market town in Stockton-on-Tees - or throughout the age-groups at Durham. She is also the reason he and his brothers have had the strength to go on without her.

"I've been pretty lost," Minto says of the last year. "But you just have to carry on. I guess it's probably built my character. You learn a lot on your own, trying to do things on my own and stuff. Living with my brothers, you have to look after each other, work harder. It's been tough, but I know my mum would be proud. I just need to keep working hard and doing the best I can.

"She's the reason I am doing all right at the moment. She was the one that encouraged me massively. Told me that I could be really good. That if I worked hard, I could do what I want. She's always been the one that's pushed me, and showed me what's possible. She is the reason why I am here.

"She was always massively involved, taking me places, doing everything for me. I could never thank her enough for that. In terms of advice, I wouldn't say she gave us much [about cricket] - maybe the odd kick up the arse."

Since signing a first professional contract with Durham last May, Minto has been the main breadwinner of the household. But the effort to move forward is collective, and he acknowledges the need to improve in domestic areas.

"George is definitely the most organised. He's a good cook as well, actually. I'd say I'm second place and Teddy is definitely last. Me and Teddy definitely have a bit of work to do.

"It does get tough, but we're there for each other. We're all working hard. Teddy is doing well with his cricket, my older brother George is working hard and doing well. We're just doing the best we can."

Support for the Minto boys is plentiful. The local community has banded around them, including Norton Cricket Club, who honoured Jemma's memory with a plaque on a bench where she used to sit to watch her sons play. Their maternal grandfather, Tony, is an ever-present, and a point of contact with Durham, whose schemes to assume the costs of coaching, travel and kit helped Jemma cultivate what has now become her children's vocation.

It speaks volumes of Minto's character that, even given the trauma, he reflects on the Under-19 World Cup with immense pride. England made it to the final with a gifted cohort, but were blown away by India and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's staggering 175. "We did really well to get there and then Sooryavanshi had a bit of a day out," Minto says, in admiration of the recently turned 15-year old's dominant knock that set up a 100-run win. Minto took 3 for 63 from his eight overs - the only English seamer to go at less than eight an over.

Those close to Minto often note how his mental fortitude intertwines with a respectful demeanour. It is something he attributes to his biggest hobby outside of cricket - boxing.

He took up the sweet science as a southpaw aged about 10, around the same time he was a "decent" goalkeeper for Hartlepool and earned trials at Sunderland. Football was parked soon after - though he did momentarily move from stopping goals to scoring them as a striker for his school, St Michael's Catholic Academy in Billingham - before taking boxing seriously from 14.

"I was doing it four or five times a week and running most nights," Minto recalls. "My fitness went to another level, and it definitely builds your character and mental toughness. I still try and go when I can but I've got big commitments with Durham, with cricket being my full-time job.

"I used to spar a bit. And when you're knackered and you've already done five or six rounds on the bag, after shadow boxing and warming up, you're being punched up a bit and have to defend yourself. You've got to have a lot of respect for what they do. It's a tough sport.

"The main thing I learned was discipline. Doing things when you don't really feel like doing it. Sometimes you just have to get your head down and work instead of moping about thinking 'ah, I can't really be arsed'. I'd get home from school, maybe hadn't eaten, and I'd feel like I don't want to go to boxing training, but you have to push yourself to go because that's how you keep getting better. The discipline that boxers have, even amateur boxers, is another level really."

Having been around the England Lions set-up, has he asked head coach Andrew Flintoff about his brief foray into boxing? "I've seen a bit of it actually," Minto says of Flintoff's one-off professional bout in 2012 against American Richard Dawson, which was won on points. "I haven't mentioned it to him though. It was all right. There's always room for improvement…"

Indeed, improvement is Minto's focus heading into his third domestic campaign. "Things happen pretty quickly," he acknowledges, two years on from marking that debut against Surrey at the Kia Oval by becoming the second youngest bowler since World War II to take a wicket. It was also the summer he left school and, aged 16, was involved with England U19s for the first time.

In 2026, the goal is about fine-tuning for the next level. It speaks to his love of fast bowling - and his idols, James Anderson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Trent Boult - that he wants to develop consistency and the ability to move the ball both ways.

"Because I've got a yard of pace, it's consistency to work on for me. It's getting better but you're never perfect in cricket, there's always going to be something to work on.

"I'm initially [moving the ball] away to right-handers, because sometimes I lose my wrist a bit. That'd be my natural variation. But as a left-armer, you want to be able to bring it into the right-hander and take it away from the left-hander. You see people like Boult and Starc do that and they take millions of wickets. That's a big thing to work on for me. But I'm not a robot, I'm going to make mistakes. I'm human."

He credits Durham bowling coach Graham Onions and elder statesman Ben Raine for working with him to hone those skills. Likewise, skipper Alex Lees and the rest of an experienced dressing room for meeting him more than halfway when it comes to advice. "I'd say I'm pretty shy, and not the most extroverted person. So it takes a bit a bit of courage to do that [seek advice], but you have to ask questions. All the lads at Durham are great and very welcoming."

With Durham now in Division Two following last season's relegation, and Minto further along in his development, he should add to his four Championship appearances. And he could finally tick off a T20, having never featured in the format.

"I just want to contribute more in the bowling unit. I guess that'll come with experience. But the main thing is more games for Durham and being more cemented in the squad. The amount bowlers do in the summer is pretty full on but that is the main goal for this season.

"I definitely want to play more Championship cricket for Durham this season. All formats, actually - I definitely want to play a Blast game this year."

And what of a Hundred wildcard spot? The auction showed new owners saw value in hoovering up young English talent on three-year deals, and Minto fits that bill. His U19 teammate and good friend, Caleb Falconer, was picked up by Southern Brave for £55,000, despite not having made a senior appearance for Middlesex.

"Yeah, that'd be nice!" Minto says, surpressing a smile. We'll see what happens".

Ultimately, he wants it all. And few would begrudge him that.