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“It wasn’t just a trip,
it was for them to
showme how they
bowl at the likes of
Ian Bell and Alastair
Cook.”
ways, and work to become the players they
want to be.
“All myself, Jamie Hart and Gary Keedy
are here for is to support, and give the
occasional kick forward if needed.
“The most important thing is that we
understand.We have a lot of experience
between us in the game and we want to
build an environment where a tight-knit
group work hard for each other, and look
for big performances.”
One young player that Franks has taken
under his wing and has looked to nurture
isWill Root.While brother Joe captures
headlines for his exploits with England’s
national side,Will has come under the
tutelage of Franks and has excelled with
Nottinghamshire’s second team, scoring
more than 750 runs as he has integrated
himself into the side.
“Will is in a tough spot,” said Franks.
“Whenever you follow a brother into the
same profession and the brother is deemed
to be ‘the superior sibling’ you’re always
going to be up against it.
“But he’s got a little something about him.
He’s not afraid to get stuck in, afraid to
have a word or two here or there. People
like to take him on, they see him as the
weaker brother and that’s not the case.
“He’s making his own way and people
should be respectful of that. Our lads enjoy
having him around, he brings a lot to the
group and if that continues who knows
where it might take him.”
Franks’ journey has been aided by
influences outside the club too. Ahead of
England’sTest series against India, the
national side trained in Loughborough and
Nottinghamshire’s young bowlers were
invited to take part in net sessions against
the likes of Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Joe
Root.
Not only did it offer Franks’ charges the
chance to test themselves against the
very best, the training camp also allowed
him to see how the national side worked
from behind the scenes, an experience he
remembers fondly.
“We were heavily involved in England’s
preparations,” he said.
“We took the majority of the seamers and
spinners available at that time down to
Loughborough to get some experience at
bowling at the best we have in the country.
“It wasn’t just a trip, it was for them to
show me how they bowl at the likes of
Ian Bell and Alastair Cook. I managed to
pick Peter Moores’ and Paul Farbrace’s
brains too.
“It was immensely valuable to me, these
aren’t chances that come around every day.
“I wanted to see the lads going into that
environment and testing themselves,
making the most of their chance to be
around England’s bowlers and use their
experience to help develop into the players
they’re striving to become.”
Franks finds an equal
in Hampshire batsman
Dominic Cork.