The 21-year-old nephew of the former England skipper is in India to represent the Sussex Sharks in the Champions League Twenty20 starting Thursday.
Joe is the son of former Arsenal defender Steve Gatting and began his career as a striker at the Brighton and Hove Albion Club four years ago. He gave up football for cricket only last year. Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride for Joe, starting off the season with a hundred against Surrey in Sussex's pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi. He made 152 on his first class debut in Sussex's opening match against Cambridge and although he played just three more first class matches in 2009, his one-day form for the county, including an unbeaten 99 against Yorkshire in August, has been impressive.
"Everyone's been talking about me because of my uncle Mike. It is good in a way and I hope I can make him proud," Gatting told this newspaper on Tuesday. Sussex coach Mark Robinson tips him as the player to watch out for in the Champions League. "Joe has made rapid progress since last year. I think he is one of the most promising upcoming youngsters to watch out for," Robinson said.