Final over
On the Spot
Date of Birth: 17/01/1985 Marital Status: Married to Amy Former clubs: Durham MCCU
The Last
Bat you bought/used? One that was given to me by my teammates with no stickers or branding. But it’s a good one, the best I’ve ever had, it’s big but light. CD you bought? That’s going back a few years! It was probably Bob Marley’s Greatest Hits about three or four years ago, which I got for the car. Five-wicket haul/century? I got a century in the last game before the Minor Counties final, one we had to win to win the division. I got exactly 100 then got out two balls later. Injury? At the start of the season I broke the scaphoid in my left hand fielding at cover, so I was in a cast up to my forearm for the first few weeks of the season. Trophy you won? We’ve just won the Minor Counties Championship, we had an unbeaten season and beat Lincolnshire at Wormsley.
The Jury’s Out
Tea or Coffee? Coffee – it gets me going properly in the morning, but I tend to have a cup of each before midday so it’s far from decisive! Beans on toast or pasta? Beans on toast – always the food my mum would cook when she didn’t know what else to give us, so it dates back to when I was a kid. Caribbean with the missus or Magaluf with the lads? There’s absolutely no doubt about this one. My wife, Amy, and I went to the Caribbean for our honeymoon so we’ve excellent memories there. Red or white wine? It depends what I’m eating. I have red with beef and a Sunday roast, but I’m not really fussy – I’ll drink anything! 50-over, T20 or Minor Counties Championship? Definitely the longer format, it throws up a lot more challenges and you get more rewards for the time and effort you put in. Plus we’ve just won the Championship so that’s an added bonus!
Time added on
Who did you support as a boy? Football-wise, I was always a Manchester United fan. My godfather pulled me to one side and told me I was going to support United, so that was that. Best coach you’ve played with? Berkshire coach Tom Lambert was and still is the best. When I came into the side at 17, he was hugely helpful and I’m now at the stage he was when I joined, so it’s gone full circle. The most nervous when next into bat? My brother, Richard. He needs to be away from everyone else, he wants to live in his own world without any distractions. Person to avoid after being dismissed? Matt Carter comes in lower down but backs himself and always feels particularly let down when things don’t go his way. One rule you would change? It would be nice if Minor Counties could be rewarded for winning a competition, whether that’s in the first round of a knockout trophy or taking part in T20 against first-class counties. Three words to describe yourself? Calm, considerate, competitive. Which TV pundit makes you cringe and which do you really listen to? Shane Warne is a good one for me but Bob Willis is mind-numbingly dull! Do you have any superstitions? The last couple of seasons I’ve taken to kissing my head guard before going out to bat. I just did it randomly once, it worked well and I’ve done it ever since. Hobbies? Cooking, travelling and coaching. Five people you’d invite round for a dinner party? Jennifer Aniston, my best mate Nick Evans, fellow teacher Steve Bates, Sir Alex Ferguson, Mila Kunis.
And finally:
Worst dressed? Chris Peploe – he’s our old pro and he’s lost sense with what looks cool! He doesn’t care what he wears.