Jones is just so proud to be part of the Red Rose brigade
Paul Edwards speaks to the young and proud Lancastrian, Rob Jones, about fulfilling a lifelong dream at Old Trafford
Oh, wow, that’s pretty special, actually. Rob Jones is commenting on a photograph of himself. It shows him leaning back with his legs splayed and his arms raised and outstretched. He has just scored his first century for Lancashire. There is no trace of egotism or narcissism in Jones’ comment. Do not mistake pleasure for vanity. He is merely looking at an image which he has never seen before and reflecting on one of the best moments of his young life. Jones’ celebration when he reached his hundred against Middlesex on a blissful September afternoon at Emirates Old Trafford was quickly shared on social media and can still be seen on Youtube. It shows him looking uncertainly towards the long-on boundary, praying that his lofted drive off Ollie Rayner has cleared the fielder.When it becomes clear that the ball has, indeed, crossed the rope on the full, there is an explosion of innocent and unforced joy from the batsman. Jones yells at the top of his voice and swings his bat gleefully towards the players on the balcony and maybe particularly towards Lancashire’s second team coach, Mark Chilton. The Middlesex players clap in quiet appreciation of a fine innings, albeit one that may, for all they knew, have denied them the title. Rayner, John Simpson and others look on as Jones gallivants around the wicket. “I’ll have a pint of what he’s on,” they may have thought. Yet when Lancashire were all out, those Middlesex players went over to congratulate Jones, who had just become the youngest Lancashire batsman since Cyril Washbrook in 1935 to carry his bat through a completed innings.
Those few seconds of the game against the future County Champions were hailed as the season’s champagne moment at Old Trafford’s Player of the Year dinner last Thursday.What was being honoured, perhaps, was simple joy and the fact that there was nothing at all rehearsed about the celebration. No badges were kissed; they didn’t need to be. Rob Jones’ heart was firmly on his sleeve. “I still can’t believe what I’ve done, if that makes sense,” said Jones as he reflected on what was only his fourth first-class innings.“That picture of me says it all. “I got the champagne moment the other night, and while it wasn’t that all the hard work for the hundred was forgotten, it was as though I got the award for the celebration.” Yet if some of those who stood and applauded Jones at Old Trafford had seen him play cricket for Oakmere or Toft, they would not have been quite so taken aback by his unspoilt, effusive joy. “I love wearing the red rose
and unfettered delight is exactly what I feel when I do so,” he said.“I’ve always shown my emotions. I went nuts when we beat India in the U19 World Cup and sometimes I’ve got to let it out. I still do it in club cricket and I did it when I played rugby in school. When I got my first hundred against Stockport Georgians, my dad opened the batting with me. I celebrated as I did for Lancashire. I was 11 years old or something.”
Jones will be 21 in November. By then he will be playing First Grade cricket for South Perth. The last thing he wants is for Lancashire members to be reminded of his century in a season or two’s time and wonder whatever happened to him.
He is very aware that he has only just begun his first-class career. It comprises seven innings and he averages 42.4. If Tom Smith had not been injured before the game at Surrey, Jones might still be waiting to make his debut.
“I didn’t think I would get a game because all the second team games had finished and it just came at the most unexpected time,” he said.“I got 25 and I was nervous, as you would be in that situation. But after that innings I was reflecting and the lads said I looked nervous, but I had settled in well even though I had Stuart Meaker running in and telling me he was going to knock my head off.
“The bowling’s quicker in the First Division; they don’t give you as much rubbish and you have to be more disciplined. I knew it was going to be harder, but it was nothing I couldn’t cope with.”
But Jones has already made his mark at Old Trafford, not least with the county’s director of cricket, Ashley Giles, who talks with warm appreciation of how he never removes his Lancashire cap during games. Giles has already dubbed him “Mr Cricket”. And the coach was seriously impressed with the enthusiasm showed when asked if he fancied opening the batting against Somerset.
“I don’t see the point of shying away from an opportunity like that,” said Jones. “Why would you want to do turn it down? Ash asked,‘do you want to open?’ and my response was,‘absolutely, yeah, I’d love to’.”
So for five innings Jones opened with Haseeb Hameed and tried to put into practice the many lessons he had been taught by Chilton, to whom he owes a great deal.
“We prepared well in the second team all year and that’s a credit to Chill,” said Jones.“He’s a great coach who’s worked a helluva lot with me over the last two years. He’s invested a lot of time in me.When I got that hundred, Chill said he was really proud of me.
“I hope I can flourish and make my mark. I love playing for Lancashire and I want to work as hard as I can this winter. I’m a sponge and a badger and I just love it.”
I’ve always shown my emotions. I went nuts when we beat India in the Under-19 World Cup and sometimes I’ve got to let it out