New coach working hard to help batsmen back to form
Lachlan Stevens admits there is no magic answer to the early-season 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 decision-making 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 a bit better skill execution and hopefully a 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.”
Jack Taylor believes the long quest to reinvent himself as a leg-spinning all-rounder in Gloucestershire’s team will reach fruition this summer.
It was back in 2017 that the former off-spinner was forced to change the direction of his career after being repeatedly banned from bowling for what was deemed a suspect action.
While Taylor’s ability as a hardhitting batsman continued to make him a valuable member of his county’s squad, he set about developing the necessary skills to one day be of use with the ball again.
It has taken four years. But following a spell playing club cricket in australia, regularly bowling legspin for Surrey Hills and Hawthorn, Gloucestershire’s T20 captain feels ready to ply his new trade in all competitions this summer.
“There has been significant progress over the winter,” Jack told me. “Getting away to australia and bowling every weekend was like gold dust for me. I got in a lot of match overs, which was invaluable.
“You can bowl as much as you like in the nets, but there is a different pressure in a game, no matter who you are playing against.
“I did really well with the ball and, while it was not at the same level as over here, I came back and also bowled nicely in the pre-season games.
“Now I am looking to take that forward over the next few weeks and, while I am not setting specific targets, I know I am ready should the team need me.
“It adds flexibility to have a legspinner in the squad. It’s been a long time coming, but hopefully reward for all the hard work is not far away.”
Taylor won’t hesitate to bowl himself in the Vitality Blast, but also hopes to stake a strong claim for a first team place in the other competitions.
“I want to win back my spot in the four-day side and be considered a genuine all-rounder again, scoring hundreds with the bat, as I have done in the past,” he said.
“Whereas at one time I was sending down leg-spinners and hoping they would be okay, I now have confidence in my ability to land them consistently in the right areas.
“It has been a long process. You have to be able to bowl at a strong enough pace while retaining accuracy and from there develop sufficient variations in delivery.
“I have some that are matchready now and others are still works in progress. I know there will be pressure when I start to bowl for the first team again, but I am excited at the prospect.”
Taylor exudes confidence over leading Gloucestershire in T20 cricket again this season and anticipates a successful campaign.
“Having Glenn Phillips back is great,” he said. “He was of immense value to us last year and will be again.
“The squad has greater strength in depth across all formats than at any time since I joined the club.
“Naseem Shah bowls with serious heat and will add a different dimension to our bowling attack, so I’m excited about that.
“We also have guys who can perform in different roles, which is important. In the past, we have tended to be viewed as underdogs, but I don’t see that as the case anymore.”