Outlaws of future having a ball with Franks

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE legend Paul Franks is now coaching the county’s academy as he makes his first steps towards a new career – though has already proven he’s still got the magic touch when called upon.

The 37-year-old, who ended a 19-year playing career in 2015, is spending time with the Nottinghamshire Academy XI to develop his skills ahead of a potential career on the sidelines.

But Franks showed he still has juice in the tank as his unbeaten 78 off 84 balls took his side to victory over Mansfield Hosiery Mills two weeks ago.

The man himself, however, admits the personal achievement is only worthwhile insofar as helping show the rest of his charges how it’s done.

“It’s not really about me, I try to make it as little about me as possible and let the players do what they do,” said Franks, after helping the academy side to their first win of the season.

“I’m sort of the captain and coach, and a player when I need to be. I was lucky with Connor [Marshall, who hit 47 not out in their chase of 199] that I could take the senior role of the partnership, then he started to hit a few boundaries towards the end and was excellent.

“At 66-6 we were in a bit of danger, but he did excellently, we could have done with that win and we’re really glad to get it, we finished really well.

“I’d rather not play, my age is a bit against me and the first opportunities should go to the players, but if I’m needed then I’ll help out.

“Having said that, as a cricketer it’s always nice to get runs. My role is to enable the players, help the younger players through the experience of the game, knowing the best decisions to make and how best to go about that.”

Franks also has experience of a World Cup behind him, joining the UAE as an assistant coach back in 2015 having previously looked after the 2nd XI set-up as captain at Trent Bridge.

And few in cricket boast the veteran’s experience, who took 792 wickets in the county game, and also led England in the U19 World Cup in 2001.

It’s those experiences which Franks is looking to tap into, hoping one day to reach the county cricket circuit as part of a senior set-up.

But he insists his way of coaching will be more than about just giving his players the benefit of insight into his own playing career.

“Going to the World Cup was a fantastic experience for me, even just being with some of the best coaches in the world was certainly a big boost for me,” he added.

“The UAE guys were fantastic, too, it’s difficult when you go in with different expectations than some of the competition, but they were all exceptional to work with.

“Things like that really confirmed to me that coaching is something to get into, whether that’s working in some capacity with Nottinghamshire, as I am now, or not.

“Obviously I want to get as high as I possible, but for now I’m happy with getting as much experience and work as I can and seeing where that takes me.

“It’s not about me telling them what to do, ultimately they have to use their own brains to make the decision.

“It’s very different to a normal county set-up, but the players have been really responsive to it so far and I’m really enjoying it.”