Robinson to play a lead role right off the bat

NEW Warwickshire first-team coach Mark Robinson has his feet firmly under the table as he embarks on his career at Edgbaston.

With the ink barely dry on the page, Robinson has thrust himself straight into leading sessions, working with individual players and hosting a variety of meetings alongside the Bears’ director of cricket, Paul Farbrace.

He has been in the role just a couple of weeks but is already using his experience as a Women’s World Cup and County Championshipwinning coach, as well as extensive research ahead of a new campaign.

“I’m hugely excited,” said the 55-year-old. “It’s now about taking your time and not trying to rush your thoughts and processes.

“I’ve got to build relationships by listening and talking to people and trying to find out what’s worked and what might need tinkering. We’ve got to get players ready to play; February goes quite quickly and then the season is almost upon you. We’ve got to go at the right pace.

“The majority of the group are young and talented – without any offence to Tim Bresnan – and that’s always exciting. They possibly need a little bit of direction, a bit of experience. There’s an abundance of talent within the group and that makes the job attractive.”

One of the relationships Robinson is looking to build quickly is with Will Rhodes – a successful bond between coach and captain.

Despite never crossing paths before, Robinson, like Rhodes, is from Hull and tries to support his local side as much as possible. That was certainly an easy icebreaker after meeting up on the first day.

“He’s an impressive character,” he said. “I can’t say I know him that well, but he initially came across very calm and with a little bit of presence about him. He’s a great age, which is where we are as a team and club. We’ve got a young group of players and a young captain who will hopefully set standards.

“There are some great characters at the club and it’s about putting those building blocks in place to not just win today but win continuously.’’

Robinson’s glittering CV includes seven trophies in nine years with Sussex and World Cup glory with the England Women’s team.

He made enormous strides with the national set-up, as the players turned fully pro and lost just one series in three-and-a-half years.