Essex Cricket Club Q & A
Tuesday 4 December 2012
“We are in Division 2, so the team’s main aim for next season has to be to get promotion to the first division. We have been doing well in the one day competitions. A good run in one of the ODI competitions would be good, but, that’s not our main focus next season. We are a Division One side and hope to be back there by the end of next season”. This was the view of Essex Cricket Club batting coach Matt Walker, which was greeted with nodding heads and murmurs of agreement by several of Essex’s players.
Rehan Hassan has been one of many successful academy players to link up with the first team at Essex. Hassan explained what it felt like to play for his local county, “It’s a brilliant feeling. Essex is a big county and I’m proud to be playing for them”.
Greg Smith, who left Derbyshire 2 seasons ago, is one of few experienced players in the Essex first team squad. Walker praised the South-African born Smith – “Experienced players, like Greg, are priceless. He can help out the younger players in the squad and he has done everything there is to do in cricket, except keep wicket”! The South- African born right handed batsmen then explained why he left Derbyshire- “I had wanted to sign for Essex for about 4 years, as I feel I can develop myself here and I didn’t feel I had a future at Derbyshire”.
Alastair Cook, who has recently taken the reins as England captain, was one of the noticeable absentees from the session. However, both Sam Arthurton and Tymal Mills were quick to explain the influence the England opening batsmen has on the team when he is available for selection. “He is a good example because he is always striving to do a little more than everybody else, but ultimately, he is just one of the lads” said former UEL student Mills. Arthurton added “He is a quality player and he has a great effect on all of the younger players when he is around the squad”.
Having begun their training for the forthcoming season at the University of East London’s new SportsDock facilities, several Essex Cricket Club players were taking part in a Q & A session with staff and students at the London University. The majority of the onlookers being sports journalism students.
By Thomas Reeves- 29th November 2012
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