Matt Mason provides bowling update ahead of the new season
Fri 22 Mar 2019
As Matt Mason embarks upon his second season as Head Bowling Coach at Grace Road and after a post-season full of change with regards to the bowling attack for the Foxes, we look ahead to the 2019 season and discuss expectations.
The squad recently went on a pre-season trip to the Lake District, where new players could settle into the group and everyone could be pushed out of their comfort zone, as Mason explains: “It was a really challenging three days actually, challenging for coaches and players because the coaches got involved in quite a lot of it.
“But it was a fantastic three days for the group. They all worked very hard and there were a wide range of activities tailored to taking them out of their comfort zone really.
“There were things like abseiling, hiking across the mountains in atrocious conditions with hail coming in sideways – it was really cold and uncomfortable – we did some climbing up mountains and rivers and all sorts of stuff.
“It was really challenging. The idea was to challenge the lads physically, emotionally and bring them closer to together.”
With a number of new faces coming into the dressing room at Grace Road, it was the perfect time for them to embed themselves within the group, and build a bond with the rest of the squad on the eve of a new season: “For example Chris Wright was quite new to us – he joined us at the end of the last season and then was off to Australia for a few months so it was a really good chance for him to integrate into the group.
“It is also an important time for the youngsters as well, to feel like they are level within the group and feel like they can challenge some of the older players and help some of them get through the tougher times as well.”
During the winter, the Foxes have had the pleasure of using the facilities of the ECB at the National Cricket Performance Centre based at Loughborough University, and Mase and the rest of the coaching staff have certainly made the most of the availability and its close proximity: “It is such a great facility up there and the ECB are fabulous leaving it open to counties to come and use, and we used it as an opportunity to do exactly that – bring the game to life a little bit more with some more intense scenarios.”
Further, it proved to be a good change of scenery for the squad as they immersed themselves within world class talent from all different sports that are based at the Leicestershire university: “It was good to also see how people from the ECB operate, as well as some of the other athletes that are based around Loughborough – we would go and have our lunch and dinner down by the athletics track in the afternoon and see some of the world class athletes doing their thing.
“Overall, it was a great experience and we are very thankful to the ECB for letting us use that facility.”
Chris Wright is among three new players at Grace Road that Mase is excited to add to his bowling attack, and the most experienced of the newcomers.
The Australian born Mason speaks on Wright’s arrival: “We were so lucky that we got Chris [Wright]. When I heard that there was an opportunity for him to come here, I was sure that we needed to sign a player of Chris’ quality.
“He has experienced a lot in his career, but he has spent most of that career in the First Division, so he has played at the top level for a long, long time.
“I also know that I have, in him, a great voice and an ally to help me deliver my messages to this young bowling attack.”
Further, there are big seasons ahead for a number of the rest of the bowling attack including Gavin Griffiths, Ben Mike, Tom Taylor, Will Davis, Dieter Klein and Callum Parkinson, but the 45-year old is focussed on how they perform as a unit more so than individuals: “That is one thing that I am trying to put together here, and we all are, and that is to have this really close-knit bowling group that know a lot about each other, what makes them tick and also to know how hard to work.
“The standards are very high, and expectations are also high, and they will need each other to help reach those. I am really happy to say that over this tough winter they have worked together a lot which has been beneficial for them.”
Finally, the Foxes face Loughborough University on 26th, 27th and 28th March 2019 in their only warm-up fixture ahead of the new Specsavers County Championship campaign and Mase knows what he is looking for from the fixture: “I guess it is well known that we have not been on tour this season, and I personally think that there is a positive in that.
“We have only been training and playing in English conditions, so there will be no adjustment needed when we get back to these wickets.
“What we are looking for from that game is a clinical performance and hopefully the guys will be put under pressure for the first time when the result matters. It is also a case of seeing whether they can transfer all of the good that they have done this winter into the middle."
*To watch the full interview with Matt Mason, click here.
