Essex the next step for ambitious Coles
MATT COLES, by his own admission, is a “big guy”.
But he is confident that will not stop the newly-signed Essex fast bowler from thriving in Division One and, he hopes, for England one day.
At 27, Coles has made the decision to leave his home county Kent for the second time and is looking to prove he can succeed away from Canterbury after an illfated one-year stint at Hampshire back in 2014.
Between off-field indiscretions – including being sent home from an England Lions tour to Australia with Ben Stokes back in 2013 – and his solid frame, the move represents something of a gamble for Essex but Coles is adamant his track record in avoiding injury should allay any fitness concerns.
“I am a big guy, but I don’t think it makes a difference to my performance on the pitch,” Coles explained.
“If you look around the country, how many bowlers who have played for nine or ten years can say they have missed just nine weeks of cricket in their careers?
“As long as you stay fit, that’s the main aim. You can’t take wickets if you are sat in the hutch. I believe that was a factor in why Essex took a look at me. If I do get little niggles, I play through them and they know that.
“It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to at Essex. I felt the time was right and the opportunity came up with them at the end of the season.
“I’m coming here to help them defend their title and to perform in Division One.
“I learned a lot from my time at Hampshire and there’s lots I can take from it in terms of leaving the place I’ve played most of my career.”
It’s not the first time Essex have shown an interest in Coles – they had previously tried to sign him when he returned to Kent from that Hampshire spell.
So when the opportunity to join the county champions came up, Coles had no hesitation.
And while he will not get to work under Chris Silverwood, who will leave the county to join England as their fast-bowling coach, he hasn’t given up hope of getting back into the international fold. He added: “I’ve still got aspirations of joining the England set-up.
“Having someone like Cookie (Alastair Cook) at slip can only help in that sense. He’ll be able to see me up close and I’m sure he’ll have some advice.
“Hopefully, I can impress at Essex and in Division One and earn a spot in there.
“I have my own goals as well. I want to take 50 wickets in the Championship and stay fit like I’ve done year-in, year-out.
“I’d love to be able to contribute with the bat as well. I’d like to think I can get a couple of hundreds each season, whether that’s in red-ball cricket or whiteball.
“With that in mind, playing against international-calibre bowlers should help my batting progress as well.
“I’ve got a couple of weeks before I’m due in but I can’t wait to get started at Essex.”