Playing the Best and Beating Them

Captain, Dominic Cork and Man of the Match, Neil McKenzie give their reaction the Royals' incredible victory in the Friends Provident t20 Final.

Captain, Dominic Cork and Man of the Match, Neil McKenzie give their reaction the Royals' incredible victory in the Friends Provident t20 Final.

On Saturday 14th August the Hampshire Royals, lead by Dominic Cork, made history. Not only were they the first Hampshire side to win the competition, but they were also the first team ever to have won the trophy on home soil.

With the weight of expectation on their shoulders and 23,000+ fans cheering them on, the Royals secured victory in an unbelievable final few overs against the Somerset Sabres which saw wickets fall, numerous unsuccessful lbw appeals, creases being re-painted, injuries, runners brought on, some suspect decision making on both teams' parts, mis-throws, boundaries scored, near-certain boundaries saved and finally a win for the home side, not on runs, but on the number of wickets conceeded. Who says t20 is all about 6-hitting?

Once the players had charged on to the field (on several occasions by the time the umpires finally signalled the game was over!), collected their medals and doused each other (and unsuspecting press officers!) in champagne, they finally faced an incredulous press still trying to work out what to ask about first (funnily enough, Kevin Pietersen's name wasn't on many people's lips!)

Simon Vincent was in there making notes... 

Guys, great game of cricket. Have you ever seen a final over like that?

DC: I’ve never seen a last over quite like that. It had everything going on; ball changes, runners, wickets... everything. I think it was a great spectacle on a day when it was very difficult to play cricket with all the rain. And credit to all four sides because there wasn’t an easy game throughout. The ball was wet, and for batsmen, the ball isn’t always easy to see in those conditions. It was a chaotic last two overs. I’m obviously just proud of all the guys who were just able to take us over that winning line.

At the end the Hampshire players initially charged on, and then appeared to hesitate. Was that because there was some doubt? Obviously, Somerset could have run out Dan Christian...

DC: I don’t know what happened, really. Once the umpires declared it match won, whatever happened, we knew we’d won it. I didn’t hesitate, I just ran on! Probably because I’m old it just looked like I was hesitating!
NM: If anything you probably had to start a little earlier than everyone else!
DC: Absolutely. I was out of the blocks early!

The moment the team knew they'd won... or was it?

How does it rank in terms of great cricket days you’ve had?

DC: It was a fantastic day, not just for myself, personally, but for everybody; even for guys like Neil and I who’ve got a lot of experience. But I think we’d both admit that the young guys who’ve come into the side really just transformed us. Throughout the campaign we’ve been slaughtered in some circles, with people asking why we weren’t playing certain people, but the younger guys have come into the side and mixed with the likes of Neil and Abdul Razzaq and we’ve put on a performance. How many would have said a few weeks ago that Hampshire would have won this competition?

Do you take this vindication for the squad you’ve brought here today?

DC: Well, yeah, but it’s not just about the squad we’ve brought here today, it’s about all the foundations that have been put in place at this club. It’s about the work that’s done behind the scenes by the likes of the Academy Director, Tony Middleton, [Strength and Conditioning Coach] Iain Brunnschweiler, the coach, Giles White, [Bowling Coach] Jon Ayling  and [Wicketkeeping Coach] Bobby Parks who’ve worked really hard to bring through the youngsters in the Academy and prepare them to play alongside “Dad’s Army” – the likes of myself and Neil. And it’s paid off in the fact that we can put a team together, play against the best and beat them.

The incident with Kieron Pollard looked quite nasty...

DC: Yeah, it’s not something I would wish on anybody and I do wish him all the best. I hear he’s gone to hospital and it’s not a nice thing to happen, with his eye completely shut over. I went into their changing rooms at the end and just said, I’m sorry, I hope he’s OK. But that’s part and parcel of cricket. It’s a bit of a sickener but hopefully he can get back soon.

You did look pretty concerned...

DC: Yeah, well, seeing anybody getting hit is not a nice experience. People get hit in all sorts of sport but when somebody is quite seriously hurt, you make sure they’re OK. It does shake you up for a while but, you know, life goes on, and hopefully he’ll come back and he’ll be OK.

The young guns: (L-R) Chris Wood, James Vince, Michael Bates, Danny Briggs, Liam Dawson

Neil, how did you find the day? You had to keep your head for a large part of the innings while it was all going off around you?

NM: Yeah, I notice you said a LARGE part of it! It was a great day. I think if you’re watching on TV it was a great spectacle. With all the rain around, it was important that the crowds just kept coming back for more and made it a really great day. I was a little unsure about the double semis and then the final all being in one day, but it is a good day and I can see why anyone playing in the English County system wants to get to this day so it was great to win it.

With it being won on wickets lost, in hindsight Dominic’s last over with the ball was a really defining moment. How do you sum up what he brings to the team?

NM: Well everyone’s talking about Dominic’s age, but he’s the best competitor I’ve ever seen and played against so I think he’ll stop when he feels he’s not competing. Even on the football field I have to pull him aside sometimes and tell him to slow it down a little; remind him he’s not a spring chicken anymore!  But he’s been really great taking over the captaincy after we’ve had two captains this year and a lot of injuries and it’s been really frustrating for quite a few of the guys off the field – just look at the amount of crutches we’ve got in the changing room! But I also think it’s important to reiterate the roles that the youngsters have played in coming in and taking over and also the likes of Dimi [Mascarenhas], who’s been out for most of the season but has still been at most of the practises and Nic Pothas. They’re always texting if they can’t be at the game. And that’s important; it shows it’s a squad effort.

The decision was made to stick with the players who had got you to the final.  Was the rest of the squad unified in supporting that decision?

NM:  Yeah, I think everyone trusts the brains that are making the decision. A lot of guys get consulted before the decision gets made. Obviously the guys missing out want to be playing but you don’t ever see the negative side of anyone in the changing room. It’s all for one and, singing the song tonight, I don’t think too many of the guys were holding back!

"A squad effort"

Neil, although you’re playing in the Champions League with the Highveld Lions, how much of a shame is it, do you think, particularly for the younger guys in the team, that they won’t have that experience?

NM:  Well, I don’t think it’s just for the younger guys – I think everybody wants to go to the Champions League. Fortunately for me, Hampshire have let me go for the last two four-day games here so I can go back and play for the Lions but it’s a big shame for the others. Chatting to quite a few of the South African guys who came back from India last year they say it’s a great competition. Hopefully they’ll get the fixtures and the scheduling organised next year, especially for guys who haven’t played international cricket because you’re playing against each countrys’ best domestic teams so it’d be nice to have Hampshire there.

Dominic, has this increased your determination to play for Hampshire again next season?

DC: I’ve been offered a contract for next year. I just want to keep playing cricket for as long as I’m physically OK and I make a difference.  I don’t want to be picked in a side just because of what I’ve done in the past; I want to be picked in a side because I make a difference. I believe I can still do that. If I ever get to the position where I feel can’t it’ll be time for some of those youngsters to take the ball and have a good time. It’s been a great career. So I’m going to take some time, I’m going to think about it and I’m sure I’ll make the right decision for myself and for Hampshire as well. I’ll make a decision before the end of the season, and I’m pretty sure it’ll be a positive one!

Words: Simon Vincent - Images: LMI Photography - cover image: Robin Jones

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