COVERED 2025 Spring

COVERED 24 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK Bowdon, and also working part-time for my dad at his warehouse in Burnley on the side. I was quite glad to get out of there pretty quickly! “It was a really tough couple of years with my injury, but to then get back into a professional setup is a very proud feeling, not just for myself but for my family and coaches too. “I got called into Mick’s office between the Surrey and Essex games to be offered the two-year contract – and it was great to know I would get to stay here and could have a bit more security.” That adaptation to life as a full-time professional has not been entirely straightforward. “I feel like I’ve adapted well, but it definitely took my body a bit of getting used to,” he says. “I knew what to expect from my time at Lancs, but it’s still very full on when it actually comes round to it. “My aim for this year is to just play as much cricket as possible. I’d really like to sink my teeth into playingT20 cricket – I’ve had the most success in that format at different levels, so it would be nice to have the experience of playing it at professional level.” His drive and steely determination to perform seem to translate off the cricket field and onto a padel court, with the Nottinghamshire squad playing regularly as part of their training since November. A competitive doubles tournament is well underway at the time of writing, and Lord feels that incorporating padel into training helps to mix things up a bit. “I’m playing with LPW (Liam Patter- son-White) at the minute, and we’re currently unbeaten, we’re flying,” he says. “I reckon I’m up there as one of the best players – I don’t want to call any- one out for being the worst though, it might ruffle a few feathers!” Such is his love of the game that he’s even played a few tournaments back home in Manchester, along with the current arrangements at courts in Nottingham, the city he now calls home. And what does he think of his new surroundings? “It’s a really great area, especially as someone who’s played and watched sport all their life, it’s a nice spot to be in with two football clubs – I can hear all the goals go in at both grounds from my flat. “I want to go to a Forest match; I’m a Man City fan myself but the way we’re going at the moment it’s probably not a good idea.” “I’D REALLY LIKE TO SINK MY TEETH INTO T20 CRICKET – I’VE HAD THE MOST SUCCESS IN THAT FORMAT AT DIFFERENT LEVELS, SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING IT AT PROFESSIONAL LEVEL.” Rob Lord