Hampshires New Headline Maker by Jane Cable

James Tomlinson

Was it really less than two weeks ago that James Tomlinson walked from the field at Headingley on Saturday lunchtime, looking like Hampshire’s defeat was the end of his world? Right now, with figures of 8 for 46 off 14.2 overs against Somerset, it seems like a very long time ago indeed.

When I met up with James at The Rose Bowl last Friday he knew how important this week’s game was after the team’s drubbing in Yorkshire. He was also looking forward to having the opportunity, in Chris Tremlett’s absence, to open the bowling with Shane Bond. He explained that as a first change bowler, his new ball experience was limited, but that it was a challenge he relished.

And as challenges go, James more than rose to it, leading the young bowling attack himself following Bond’s injury – and in the process improving on Bond’s own first class best figures of 7 for 66. James and I had a very long chat about the lessons learned from Headingley – he is clearly a thoughtful cricketer, and it made me smile (well, grin from ear to ear, actually) when I remembered he said he’d been trying too hard, wanting to take a wicket with every ball. There was a time today when he very nearly did!

“Thinking about the Yorkshire game, maybe I attacked too much. Maybe I just need to work out what I can do, which I think now I have done. It’s all about knowing your game, you need to work out what sort of bowler you’re going to become. Earlier on in my career I literally tried to bowl as fast as I could, but now I’ve started to realise I don’t touch 90 mph. Early-mid 80s – which is quick – but not out and out pace. So I’ve worked on swinging the ball and bowling consistently.”

To be honest, with our bowling attack apparently decimated by injury, England call-ups and commitments elsewhere, Hampshire fans were not optimistic going into the Taunton game. A blinding new ball spell, which in just 4.3 overs saw Tomlinson rip through 6 of Somerset’s batsmen, including Langer and Trescothick, for just 13 runs gave us more than hope – I, for one, found it hard to contain my excitement.

At the beginning of the season Paul Terry talked about the young players stepping up to the plate. I am sure this is just the sort of performance he wanted to see.

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