Shahzad can draw on ‘been there, done that’ past to help Derbyshire
AJMAL Shahzad has lived much of his cricket life in fastforward.
His was a quick rise from county rookie to Test debutant but his decline was just as rapid.
From being touted as a potential England fast-bowling regular for many years to come when he took Test figures 4-63 against Bangladesh in 2010, he was out of contract and unwanted seven years later – on the scrapheap at 31 and heading for a new career as an accountant.
But cricket had not seen the last of Shahzad. A new era is beginning, as Derbyshire’s new bowling coach.
That match at Old Trafford against Bangladesh was to be his only Test and though he went on to play one-day and T20 internationals in 2011, injuries and loss of form hastened the end not only of his England career but his county career too.
Released by Yorkshire in 2012, he moved rapidly on to Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Sussex in trying to recapture his spark before bowing out midway through the 2017 season following an unsuccessful trial with Leicestershire.
There were dark times for Shahzad but the experience did not crush him. He believes he is a stronger man and will be a better coach for it.
“I’m a young coach in years but because of what I went through as a player, I’ve got lots of knowledge,” he said.
“My playing career was a bit of a whirlwind, so while I might be a 35-year-old setting out as a coach, I feel like I’ve got the knowledge and experience of a 45-year-old.
“I’ve been around so many good players and had so many good coaches along the way.
“I had a nice journey as a player. Potentially, I should have done more and I would have really loved to have been a one-county player all my career, but then I would not have been able to experience so many different environments.”
It is not only technical knowledge and drive Shahzad brings to the job at the Incora County Ground.
He understands better than most that life as a professional cricketer can be tough and that has taught him what you cannot find in any coaching manual. Empathy.
“It was when I was working with Mark Robinson at Sussex that I really started to understand what that word meant,” he said.
“I’d left Notts and I was having a tough time. I was just not performing but Mark took me under his wing and supported me. He believed in me because he knew there was still a serious player in there.
“The fact that he understood what I was going through and related to me was good. I haven’t forgotten.
“When you are going through that, it comes back to being robust and resilient. I got one Test and then I got left out. Getting back in the team was tougher than I thought.
“When days do get tough, as a coach you have got to be there for the players and be that person they can talk to. Having been there, I understand how it feels.
“When I see players who are going through bad times, even if I’m seeing it from a distance,
I want to pick up the phone and talk to them because I understand.”
Shahzad began to work towards his coaching qualifications after a year and a half out of cricket, when he realised following his father into accountancy was not really for him.
His big break came when Steve Kirby invited him to do unpaid coaching with the MCC youngsters. When Kirby left the MCC to come to Derbyshire in 2018, Shahzad got the job as his replacement at Lord’s.
When Kirby left for Somerset at the end of last season, Shahzad already felt prepared when he applied to take his place at Derbyshire.
“We stayed in touch all the time,” he added. “Coaches like to chat and bounce ideas off each other and Kirbs kept going on about the progression he was seeing in the young bowlers at Derbyshire, so in a way I have had a bit of a head start. There is a lot of potential there, good young talent coming through, and I want to play a part in their development.
“With a bit of nous and a bit more street smart, we can take on the bigger counties and turn them over. I’ve been lucky to play at some of the bigger counties and I’ve seen for myself what can happen when you’re playing an underdog that has the attitude that they can beat you, no matter what.
“For me, it’s about creating the right environment where the bowlers are happy to be challenged, knowing it’s in their best interests and is going to make them a better person, bowler and cricketer.
“I’m also an ECB fast bowling scout and I’m in touch with Ed Smith, James Taylor and such, telling them what I see out there. I think I know what it takes and I know what they’re looking for.
“If that’s not an extra incentive for the players at Derbyshire, I don’t know what is.”
KELLE Roos’ professionalism has been praised by Derby County coach Shay Given.
Roos has been number two goalkeeper to David Marshall for most of the season but he stepped in recently when Marshall suffered a bout of illness.
He started three matches, against Rotherham United, Bournemouth and Queens Park Rangers, playing a key role in the 1-0 wins against the Cherries and QPR.
Marshall returned to the side for the recent win against Bristol City.
Former Republic of Ireland international number one Given says the competition between the keepers is vital.
“Marshy (David Marshall) has done brilliantly since he came to the club and Wayne (manager Wayne Rooney) felt he should go back in,” Given said.
“Wayne made a good point to me and to (goalkeeper coach) Jason Pearcey, that Kelle has come out after playing really well. He is not coming out after making a mistake or a loss of form.
“Kelle came in and did brilliantly for the team. Yes, he is disappointed, but he is still full of confidence and if we need him again, and we probably will with the many games we have, we are really confident that he is a top keeper as well.
“It is important we have that competition in the goalkeeping department, as well as every other position.”
Marshall has started 23 of the Rams’ 27 League games since he signed from Wigan Athletic last summer.
“Marshy has justified the position since he came to the football club, he has done really well and brings calmness to the team,” said Given.
“But Kelle has put in some brilliant performances.
“He has made some fantastic saves, some big saves at key moments, and he has been there for us.”
Roos clawed out a header from Lloyd Kelly late on in the win against Bournemouth and then produced a man-of-the-match display against QPR.
“Kelle is full of confidence at the minute and that can only be a good thing,” Given said.
“Kelle’s professionalism and how he has trained all season has been brilliant. Marshy came down with a sickness and if Kelle hadn’t been training brilliantly leading up to that, he might not have performed how he did.
“You have to perform in training. Wayne said that (to all the players) from day one. He judges on training as much as anything.”