Thanks to SCCC Director of Cricket John Abrahams for talk with boys on player pathway
Leadership and successful teams were the themes of a special online discussion for boys on Cricket Shropshire’s Age Group pathway.
The session for boys in the Under 14s, 15s and 18s age groups was led by Shropshire County Cricket Club’s Director of Cricket John Abrahams.
John drew on his experiences of playing for Lancashire and Shropshire for many years and a coaching career which included a long stint as Team Manager for England Under 19s.
A key message to the boys from John was to take personal responsibility to make themselves the best players they possibly could – and how to become leaders within in a team, even if they were not the captain.
And he used examples from his own experiences as manager of an England Under 19s squad for a World Cup in New Zealand to illustrate his point.
He said: “Any team would benefit from including a group of ‘leaderful’ players like we had in that squad.”
Alongside the vice-captain James Vince, the squad included Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler.
“They were genuine leaders in that. They were strong characters, and when they spoke, everyone listened. If there was hard work to be done – even at that age – they would do it. And they brought the rest of that team along with them.
“They have gone on to represent England across all three formats of the game and have become very influential in the England set-up. Because they have known each other for so long, there is a very real bond between them, and it reflects in the Test team.”
John said he always recommended that youngsters bear in mind the three Rs – Responsibility, Respect and Reference.
He told the boys then had to take responsibility on themselves for their own development – and not to look to blame others when things didn’t go their way.
“You are responsible for your own improvement and development. Make yourself the best player you can be.”
He said they need prepared to accept challenges and have a ‘growth’ mindset – but be prepared to fail at times.
“The more you take on responsibility, the better you will feel and the more confidence you will have,” he added.
He said ‘positive attribution’ was important: “When you take on things, take on that responsibility. Don’t blame other people or things if you fail. Work towards how you can be better next time. You can’t improve if you are not honest about the situation.”
He said fielding and fitness were non-negotiables – things every individual can control and make themselves better at.
“You have got to be fit – you have got to be able to step up at the end of the day to bowl those five vital overs as you were at the start of the day.
"Make yourself a specialist in two or three fielding positions. There is a stat that says in every innings there are 2.5 chances of a run out. If you can complete two of those run outs, that’s two less wickets your bowlers have to take.
“You also need to be coachable. You have got to be open to listening and take on board what your coach has to offer. These people have knowledge and experience of the game.
“When you are 14/15/16 you think you know it all. When you are a bit more mature yourself, say 21, you realise what we were talking about actually makes a lot of sense.”
He said every individual should be aware of the team’s goals – and be prepared to step up to be the one that made a difference.
“It may be that you’re the one asked to come on to bowl and keep things tight when a game is running away from your side. If you can bowl those five overs for 12 runs it is just as important as taking two wickets with the new ball. It is a ‘match-affecting’ performance.
“The same with the opening batsman who manages to make 30 against the moving ball – again it can be a match-affecting performance.
“At all times help each other and try and support each other. When things are not going well that support for each other becomes more important.”
He encouraged the boys to have a genuine love of the game – and support and encourage other people in their side.
He added: “You must have respect for the opposition, the officials, the support staff, everyone who makes it possible for you to play the game.
“Respect the opposition, but never fear them. Treat them as you would like to be treated in return.
“It is a massive thing that you have to respect the game of cricket. It has been played by some great cricketers and it is still being played by great cricketers. It has stood the test of time. If you respect the game, it will respect you.
He quoted legendary Australian batsman Don Bradman: “We are mere custodians of this great game . . . and it is our duty to leave in a better state than when we started.”
Then he added: “Always try and be a role model and behave in the right way. You all know what is expected of you. And don’t be afraid to be accountable. It will reflect well on you and people will see how you act and respond accordingly.
“Remember who you represent. You are representing Shropshire, and below that you are representing your school, your club, your family and yourself.
“You are lucky to be playing in a really good county that cares about you and your development. I played for Shropshire and enjoyed every minute of it. The people responsible then for the County set up made it an easy place for me to enjoy my cricket, and it is similar now.”
He then highlighted another England U19s squad he managed, this time at a World Cup in the UAE.
“Out of the 15 players selected, two grew up playing their cricket in Shropshire – Joe Clarke and Ed Barnard.
"They came through the Shropshire pathway and went on to play county cricket and for England Under 19s – it shows you what is possible.”
He stressed how he was keen to see the link between Cricket Shropshire and Shropshire County Cricket Club become even stronger – to provide that pathway for youngsters in the county to go on and succeed in the game.
Cricket Shropshire’s Performance Manager Ed Ashlin thanked John for taking the time to talk to the boys on the pathway and give them valuable insights into leadership and team values.