Learning curve for Griffiths

Leicestershire CCC fast bowler Gavin Griffiths took a lot of positives from his first season at the Fischer County Ground.

Last season was Griffiths’ first full season in playing in all three formats, which he says was a massive learning curve for him. 

“It was a great feeling signing on for another year it provides me with some security, I won’t have to strain to impress as much as last year,” said Griffiths. “I feel I worked really hard off the field and that secured me an additional year, as well as a really strong white ball campaign.

“I hadn’t played a full season before and the amount of travel and mental fatigue it takes out of you was a massive shock for me. It was a massive learning curve.

“I also think that this year will be a bit easier, I’m not a new player, the lads are now aware of how I work and I’m aware how everything functions around the ground.

“My aim for next season is to consolidate my place in all forms of the game, I feel I secured my place in the white ball formats so next season I want to be a key player also in the County Championship.”

Griffiths hadn’t played a first-class game before his move down south from Lancashire and his debut came against Loughborough MCCU at the age of 23. His first match included a notable maiden first-class wicket – perhaps one for fans of Leicestershire CCC trivia in years to come.

He said: “It was a little bit later than I expected to make my first-class debut but it was a great moment and one I will cherish for a long time. Dismissing Sam Evans, who was playing for Loughborough MCCU, was also nice as I have bragging rights over him now!”

Griffiths feeling that he had a strong white ball season is confirmed by the statistics. In the Royal London One Day Cup he was the Foxes leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets at an average of 27. 

The seamer played 13 of the 15 T20 Blast fixtures including the quarter-final at Glamorgan and carried out various roles, including bowling in the powerplay, middle overs and death.

He said: “I was really pleased with my form in the T20, especially bowling at the FCG, against Yorkshire I feel that was my best performance, and that win meant even more for me, coming from Lancashire!

“I’ve played a lot of T20 cricket, especially at second team level but the standard in the first team is so different.

“In the first team, the opposition attack from ball one to the last ball of the innings, you have to be on it from the first ball. In the twos your first over will go for six or seven, however, you will go for over 15 in the ones if you’re not on the money.

“I’m still working on subtle variations in order to stay one step ahead of the batsmen and I believe they will hold me in good stead come the summer.

“The FCG isn’t always the easiest place to be a bowler as well as the wickets are quite flat, especially for T20. If the batting side get on top against you, it’s a real challenge to drag momentum back in your favour.”

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