COVERED WINTER 2020

COVERED 10 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK It’s a journey which began with him winning a year’s supply of chewing gum in aTrent Bridge Kwik Cricket competition. His mother still has a wonderfully awkward photo of Chris Read making the presentation to prove it. Now, with theT20 thrills in Edgbaston’s October chill still fresh in the memory, Ball is a domestic trophy-winner for the fifth time – and theVitality Blast’s leading wicket-taker in 2020. Every moment along the way – whether on his ascent to the top of the game, or when the slings and arrows of misfortune have crossed his path – has been equally important in forming the cricketer, and the man, of today. Jake Ball:The Mind “Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.” Phil Jackson,NBA Hall-of-Fame coach It’s something several members of the Notts squad have remarked upon this summer. When listing the senior figures in the Trent Bridge dressing room, the usual names are rolled out: the likes of Mullaney and Patel, Gurney and Christian. All bring a wealth of experience, and the wisdom that comes with it. More often than not, the speaker closes their list with “…even Bally!” – in a sur- prised tone which suggests he can hardly believe that Ball, a man who still radiates such puppyish enthusiasm, can now have a decade-long career on which to reflect. But a senior figure he is – one with 237 appearances and 408 wickets to his name across all competitions. In some ways, it’s even surprised the man himself. “It only feels like yesterday that I broke into the side, but then time goes on, and players come and go, and suddenly you’re one of the senior guys,” he says, as we spend an unseasonably warm autumn afternoon on the banks of theTrent. “I remember early in this season, we had an ‘oldies versus youngies’ fielding com- petition, and I was the fourth oldest. I thought, ‘when did this happen?!’ “You’re so involved in your own career that those sorts of things pass you by, but you do have to step up and be a leader. “We’ve got a number of young, relatively inexperienced bowlers.They all want to talk about cricket and learn from you – and I’m quite enjoying that.” Those lessons can be about more than just how to hit the top of off-stump. From wearing the three lions in an Ashes Test to injuries and spells out of the Nottinghamshire side, Ball has seen it all. “As a younger player, you might feel you’re not getting enough opportunities – and I get that, because that was me at one point,” he shares. “I didn’t make my championship debut until I was nearly 23, so I understand the frustrations the younger lads have at 19 or 20 when they’re not playing. “I was quite frustrated myself at that age – but you look back at that side, with Franskie (Paul Franks), Andre (Adams), Patto (Darren Pattinson), Shrecky (Charlie Shreck), Mark Ealham and then Fletch (Luke Fletcher) coming through as well… I had to think ‘well, I’m not going to play, just look at those players in front of me!’ “But professional sport can be weird – at 22 I’m thinking ‘have I got a future in the game?’, then a couple of years later I’m opening the bowling for England at Lord’s. “Hopefully I’m a good example to the younger lads that things can happen quickly for you.” Ball is in a mellow, reflective mood – gazing into the middle distance as he takes stock of his time in the game. He knows all too well that, just as quickly as your reputation can rise, circumstances can find you on the outside looking in. The most recent of Ball’sTest caps came in late 2017.The next two seasons would “IT ONLY FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY THAT I BROKE INTO THE SIDE, BUT THEN TIME GOES ON, AND PLAYERS COME AND GO, AND SUDDENLY YOU’RE ONE OF THE SENIOR GUYS.” Jake Ball