Jacques rides cricket rollercoaster to the Bulls

PHIL Jaques believes the turbulent experiences of his playing career will enhance his empathy with players in his new role as Queensland Bulls coach.

Former NSW batsman Jaques, 36, is six months younger than James Hopes, the Bulls’ senior player, so his surprising appointment to replace the sacked Stuart Law is a calculated gamble that his knowledge of the modern game will offset his lack of experience.

“I have had some ups and downs in my career,’’ said Jaques. “I have been dropped, been in and out of teams and on the fringes for five or six years. Had back surgery.

“I was never the most talented player but I got the best out of what I did and hopefully I can instil some of that into the players.’’

Left-handed opening batsman Jaques had an unusual international career in that he averaged an excellent 47 in his 11 Tests and scored a century in his last Test innings against the West Indies in 2008.

But around that time he laboured with a serious back complaint which required surgery.

Cricket became a secondary consideration behind the need to get his general health back as he struggled to get out of bed, sit or walk without severe pain and spent years on antiinflammatories.

His last first class game was less than a year ago for Nottinghamshire, and he was good to the end, making 77 and 79 in his last game.

“It has been a quick turnaround but I have been working on my coaching. I had a couple of years of club coaching and a year of high performance with Cricket NSW in an assistant role and with the Sydney Thunder. I feel I am ready to go in a head coaching position,” he said.