Basic HTML Version
“I’ve been training and bowling. I’d
like to think that I’m a professional
cricketer alongside my responsibilities
behind the scenes.
“Come 6 April, I’ll be putting my
name in the hat. I know it’s unlikely
that I’ll play, but it’s part of being a
professional cricketer to train and
prepare for that moment.
“The door isn’t closed by any means,
and I’m hoping it’s the driest summer
we’ve ever had.”
Both Keedy and Alty have been
working closely with recovering
players through the winter too, Andy
Carter and SimonWebster both
missing the majority of 2013 through
back injuries.
Both are now well on their way to a
return to full fitness following months
of gym work and rehab.
“Carts is flying at the moment,” said
Alty.
“We have a planned workload for him
into Barbados to make sure that he’s
in and around the squad for the first
game of the season.
“He knows that it’s a recurrent stress
fracture, so you’re never truly out of
jail, we’re going to have to monitor
his workload and that will set him in
good stead for the rest of the season.
“Webby is a little further away, he had
some quite complex surgery but, he
has worked incredibly hard this winter
and now he’s bowling with increased
effort and a full run up.
“Their progress is a credit to them,
and how hard they work.”
The start of the new season is
approaching quickly, with players
beginning to return toTrent Bridge
following their time away through the
winter.With the county’s pre-season
tour of Barbados underway, it has
now become a case of counting down
the days for the club’s medical team.
“I’m excited for the first match. It’ll
be totally new, working for four days
when 90-minute events have been the
mainstay of my career,” said Alty.
“In football, it was simple.You work
to a Saturday afternoon. If you’re
unlucky you have a busier week and
play again on a Tuesday night.
“Football has been through a period
of change, and I believe cricket is in
amongst that too.
“We have seen the emergence of
Twenty20 cricket which brings in the
crowds, and it makes a great balance
with the prestige of the County
Championship.
“Coming in for a four-day match will
be a new experience. Come June,
we’re off the field for probably just
four or five days in the month.
“I’m usually on holiday around then.
I’m looking forward to it.
“As a lad I always enjoyed cricket, and
this is exciting. It’s a strong squad and
we have a good chance to compete
across the board.”
16 17
“Coming
in for a
four-day
match will
be a new
experience.”
Jon Alty