Stevens has no ‘magic answer’
LACHLAN Stevens admits there is no magic answer to the earlyseason shortage of runs, which has left Somerset propping up the County Championship First Division after three games.
But the club’s new batting coach exudes enthusiasm over his new role and pledges to spend long hours with the players, as individuals and a group, in a bid to inspire scores that will end a run of seven successive defeats stretching back to last season.
Even though Tom Abell’s careerbest 150 not out brought an improvement in last weekend’s match against Surrey at The Oval, a second innings collapse from 132 for two to 207 all out led to the home side winning by three wickets.
Stevens, formerly head coach at Western Australia and Perth Scorchers, is highly-regarded within the game, having won three Sheffield Shield titles and the Big Bash during his career. But the 43-year-old Aussie does not underestimate the task he has taken on at Taunton.
He told me: “I understand the current frustration of Somerset supporters, but the only guarantee I can give them is that we will work as hard as possible on a daily basis to put things right. There is no golden answer. I am getting to know the players, how they want to work and what they require of me.
“You can’t be generic about a batting unit because every individual is different. With some you have to be a good listener and with others a guider.
“It is not as simple as watching the players practise and offering advice. Playing well in the nets and out in the middle are very different matters.
“Some of the problems I have seen during my short time with Somerset have been down to poor decisionmaking under pressure.
“We have some very good techniques within our batting group, but bad decisions over shot-making have been putting the team in tough positions.
“You have to take things step by step. Sometimes a player will bat well for an hour and only make ten, but that time spent at the crease can start to make a difference.
“A slice of fortune or just one good innings can turn things around. I have sat in dressing rooms before where confidence has been low.
“It can be largely about reassurance in that situation. You need to make certain the players know deep down that they are good enough.”
Stevens certainly appears the sort of lively personality to lift a dressing room if first impressions are anything to go by.
But after such a poor start to the season, his impact needs to be swift. Somerset followers will be looking for the dismal run to end in the game against Warwickshire at Taunton, starting today
“I understand that there are only 14 Championship games and that me and the rest of the staff are already under pressure,” said Stevens.
“From what I have seen so far, we have some very good players, but at this point in time some are not proving it in Championship cricket.
“It’s easy to talk about talent and potential, which I genuinely believe we have at the club. But we have to find a way of turning that into performance, otherwise questions will rightfully be asked.
“We need bit better skill execution and hopefully is little luck to turn the corner. It had been tough batting at times in the games I have watched.
“If things don’t improve, there are other players, including some good youngsters, looking to force their way into the team.”
Somerset begin their four-day Championship clash clash with Warwicksire at the County Ground today.