One Thing After Another

Jane Cable has a mid season chat with Giles White

The 2010 season so far has certainly been an ‘interesting’ one for Hampshire.  Let’s say ‘interesting’ or ‘challenging’ rather than just plain frustrating, and as ever First Team Manager Giles White is still able to pull the positives from the welter of injuries and missing overseas players Hampshire have suffered so far this year.

I met with Giles shortly before the Friends Provident t20 quarter final but, of course, since then the complexion of the season has changed as we make our first ever Finals Day at home on 14th August. Giles sums it up perfectly: “Twenty20 offers a hope of silverware – we’d be outsiders on paper but the way we played against Sussex, and with twenty20 cricket, who knows?”

And that after the team was decimated by injury. “Yes” he says with a great deal of resignation. “It’s been one thing after another and it’s been tough for everyone; obviously for the players concerned but also for the squad as a whole – especially when it’s such influential players who’ve been the most seriously injured. It’s been hard but the spirit’s been good in the team and everyone’s pulled together and young guys have come in and shown that they can do a job.”

Just to recap on the injury situation, Dimi Mascarenhas, Nic Pothas and Kabir Ali are out for the rest of the season. David Griffiths continues to have a few niggles but is on his way back and Simon Jones has had a small setback but it’s hoped he’ll be playing again in a few weeks.

Nic’s replacement is home grown keeper Michael Bates, who has been successfully sprung from the England Under 19 Test squad to play First Class cricket. “What a start he had too” Giles enthuses. “His keeping on Sunday [in the must win t20 tie against Sussex] was outstanding. He’s got a challenge ahead of him; it’s never easy for young players coming in to be consistent but he’s certainly an exciting prospect.”

Added to the injuries, there’s been a bit of a revolving door with the overseas players as well. “All the best laid plans we had in the winter didn’t come to fruition because, for one reason or another, these guys haven’t been able to come over. Mendis not being available was a real blow to us – he was blocked by the Sri Lankan cricket board who’d just changed their selection committee who then decided to change the policy and not let any of the players play overseas. Obviously Brett Lee was injured and Afridi decided to play Test cricket again at the last minute. But Abdul’s come in, and Dan Christian, and they’ve fitted in very well – but we’ve yet to see the best of them, I think.”

The inspired signing seems to be Neil McKenzie. “Neil’s been good” Giles agrees. “He arrived on time, which is always handy, plus he’s stayed relatively fit! He’s obviously a very fine batsman but he also adds a lot to the changing room. He’s good with the young players and he’s a good role model for them – everything I’d hoped and I’m really pleased.”

The performances of these young players have been one of the most encouraging things about Hampshire this season, not least with Briggs’ bowling and Vince’s batting in the FPt20 quarter final. “We knew they were good cricketers and this season they’ve got an opportunity. They’re not going to be at the peak of their powers just yet but already we’ve seen some good solid performances from them.”

Giles White in thoughtful mood

So what is the state of the nation as regards to the various competitions. “In the twenty20 obviously we’ve scrapped our way this far, but that’s been the nature of this season. We went into this year with a lot of ambition and a certain expectation but the cricketing gods haven’t shone on us so we’ve realigned our goals and we realise we’ve got a real battle for the rest of the season.

“Championship cricket, at this stage, is about consolidating and trying to pull away from the bottom group and if results really go our way and we end up in the top half that would end the season well.” There is still a great deal of uncertainty how the LV= County Championship will look in 2011, so it is particularly hard to know just exactly what we are aiming for. “We can’t get sucked into what might be next year” Giles laughs. “It’s a case of trying to win every game, which we do anyway. We do our best and work hard but there are things out of our control, as we’ve been finding out this season!”

Any hope in the Clydesdale Bank 40 over competition seems reasonably far-fetched but Giles is phlegmatic. “We’ll take it game by game – a couple of wins could get us nearer the right end of things. You could say it was a chance to play young cricketers, but I feel we’re doing that anyway!”

With both Dimi and Nic out of contention, Dominic Cork will assume the captaincy in all forms of cricket for the rest of this year. “It’s a big ask for a 39 year old to play every game – it’s a big ask for anyone to do that – but at the moment he’s fit and he’s going strong. He’s fantastic to have around and he’s enjoying it – his personality and his enthusiasm for the game mean he’s a very positive character to have in the dressing room.”

The quantity of cricket played is still a frustration – especially as the squad has become thinner. “You can’t expect the quality if everyone has to play day in day out. It becomes about managing the season, and I don’t think that’s what we should be trying to achieve. As a cricketing nation we should be looking for excellence rather than just getting through.”

Alongside the progress the younger players have made Giles is quick to point out the other positives from the season so far. “The team’s shown an awful lot of character. We’re still fighting and every day we’re having to fight – they’ve come back well from a very tough start and played some good cricket. Michael Carberry and Jimmy Adams have continued their success at the top of the order in Championship cricket and Jimmy’s been excellent in twenty20, which is something you wouldn’t have associated with him two years ago. Kabir Ali and David Griffiths started the season really well too.

“This side wants to win Championships, but to do that a lot of stars have to align – things have to go your way. As well as having the players, and the right spirit in the squad, you need that bit of luck. But overall I’ve been very impressed with the team. You find out a lot about each other when times are tough and it makes you stronger as a group.”

Jane Cable

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