ROL MODEL
Toby’s looking to make experience count in beating Proteas... then for the Ashes
TOBY ROLAND-JONES insists he is a man for all seasons as England go in search of some much-needed consistency in Manchester.
Roland-Jones is not a bowler to get carried away with his highs or lows and has already drawn a line through his breakout debut performance at The Oval.
At 29, the Middlesex man’s levelheadedness is exactly what England could do with as they try to maintain the Test matchwinning level found in London – when they face South Africa in Manchester tomorrow.
For whatever reason, England have been far too up and down during the last 18 months, but, in Roland-Jones and Tom Westley, they have picked two experienced first-class players, who know their games inside out.
“Certainly, being 29 and having a good amount of cricket behind me, I do think it has helped, in terms of dealing with the external pressures and trying to perform again,” said Roland-Jones. “It’s something that I’d like to think I’ve done for Middlesex over a number of years, so now it’s a case of trying to transfer that to the international arena.
“There’s been a bit spoken about how this team has responded to winning games and trying to stop that up-and-down nature of results.
“So, I think this game seems like as good a time as any to try to change that and really cement the series win.
“I’d like to think I know how I best approach a match and whether I’ve played well or poorly, to be able to set myself up to give me the best chance in the next fixture.” It is the sort of approach that will see him booked in for the Ashes tour this winter, not that he wants to count his chickens.
But, with Mark Wood struggling with his bruised heel, Roland-Jones could be a shoo-in for Oz.
He added: “I had a couple of months over there with the Lions in 2012, which was really enjoyable. I enjoyed the conditions, so, yes, I’ve experienced Australia a little bit.
“In the past, the moment I’ve looked too far ahead, I’ve found my performances have dipped a little bit, so I’ll be doing all I can to focus on staying there.
“Naturally, England is where I have played my cricket, so I am more adept in those conditions more than anywhere else, purely on the basis of playing so much over here.
“But, certainly, I don’t see that as a limiting factor for me or anything like that.
“I’ve enjoyed bowling whenever I have gone away – I was in Sri Lanka this year and we have played in Australia and South Africa.
“So I see myself as someone who adapts to whatever conditions I play.”