00:01Right Russell, we're just a week away from the start of the season here in the
00:04County Championship against Essex. Obviously always an exciting time in the
00:07English domestic game and obviously for you, newly in as coach. Yeah, thoughts
00:10looking forward to it all? Really looking forward to it. I've got a two day warm-up
00:14game starting in Sussex tomorrow and then just a couple more practices before
00:17that all-important first ball gets bowled against Essex at the Utilita Bowl next
00:21week. So it's been an incredible couple of days, getting to meet the guys,
00:25training's been really good but players are ready to play now so really can't wait
00:29to get started. Yeah, happy with how pre-season's been going? It's been really
00:32good. One more two day game. Guys had a great ten days in Stellenbosch. I spent
00:38some time with them there. Training facilities was fantastic. The work ethic
00:41was incredible. All players have sort of made adjustments to the game. They've all
00:47gone on various camps, whether it's in India, whether it's in Cape Town. So it's
00:51been really cool and like I say, we've got to get out there and start putting that
00:54all into practice now. Yeah, obviously the serious stuff will start next week, won't it?
00:58So yeah. And for you obviously coming in as coach, what was the appeal for sort of
01:02Hampshire? Hampshire's a big county. I mean, it's got a rich history. They have
01:07some incredible players playing here. Sort of fits into the sort of style and team
01:12that I sort of like to associate myself with. They look like a guy that I'm going to try
01:17100%. They're sort of never out of the fight. They've been incredible in wide ball
01:21cricket. Obviously need to improve in certain aspects in the red ball game but I mean it was a
01:26very attractive proposition coming to a county like Hampshire. Some great players,
01:30great history and a team that's sort of looking for some success. So a really good fit.
01:35And as I say, obviously starting with Essex and obviously April, May obviously is always that
01:38relentless run of county championship cricket coming thick and fast. And the side had for a few years
01:45sort of been pushing towards the title. And last year, obviously a bit tougher. And obviously
01:49you're coming in with fresh eyes. And the aim obviously is to push back up, presumably.
01:54No, 100%. Like I said, the wide ball side has been extremely consistent in all formats. They've been
01:58incredible. Having won competition has been in so many finals, finals days. The red ball side,
02:03although they've sort of competed really well and been so close to winning it, maybe has fallen off the last
02:09season or two. So a lot of work to do in that particular format. And that's the format I sort
02:13of love most. So really looking forward to that challenge and getting our quarter-k to where it
02:17needs to be. And obviously that will very much be the focus at the moment, obviously April, May.
02:21And if you come through that well, obviously it sets you up, doesn't it?
02:24100%. If you do well in this format, you sort of end up doing well in other formats as well.
02:28So
02:29big focus on these next couple of weeks for us, starting next week against Essex, back at home here.
02:34So these next few weeks can really set up our season while for us. Obviously a big key is getting
02:38those
02:3920 wickets. Very confident in the bowling attack and all the different attributes you've got there.
02:43100%. I mean Kyle Abbott's been incredible for this team over the last seven or eight years.
02:48I think so having him fit and ready to go, the incredible force. Liam Dawson is bowling well.
02:53He's hungry to perform in this format. So we've got the nucleus of a really good attack. Two young bowlers,
02:57Eddie Jack, Sonny Baker. So some really good potential there. So yeah, we've got the attributes for really
03:03well balanced and sort of a bowling attack you get 20 wickets for us. And a good mix sort of
03:09across
03:09the group, sort of, you know, senior pros who can obviously, you know, know their games can pass it
03:14on and lots of exciting young talent with huge sort of growth potential as well. 100%. There's definitely
03:18a couple of young players that want to sort of incorporate into the group. One or two young
03:22players could end up playing in the first weekend. So really excited to see how their development goes
03:27and brings a little bit of freshness to our batting lineup in particular. So yep, some good young
03:31plays around to go with some experienced players makes for a good play. Obviously focus very much
03:36on the cricket, but have you found it in Hampshire? It's been pretty cold the first week.
03:42Beanie had a big jacket on at practice and games, but I hope it'll start warming up soon,
03:47but it's been great to be here. And obviously, as I say, the county championship at the moment,
03:50but that can set you up and you say the white ball that the Hampshire has been so consistent
03:54reaching T20 finals days, winning it, some, you know, reaching one day cup finals,
03:58the pedigree's really been there, isn't it? 100%. Obviously, James Vince comes back in the T20 stuff.
04:03So he's obviously a massive player, the addition of Tristan Stubbs, Hilton Cartwright. So you've got
04:07some really world-class players in that particular lineup. Chris Hood has been incredible with the
04:12new ball. So we've got the nucleus of a really good white ball side. So we're really looking forward
04:17to getting that journey underway as well. And also just a week away and obviously the supporters are
04:22obviously looking forward to getting back and watching their cricket. A message for them? 100%.
04:27Look, it's a big game starting against Essex next week. We know they're from Watergill's side.
04:31They've done really well in the county championship for the last few years,
04:34but really encouraging people to come out and support us means a great deal,
04:37having good crowds at the venue here. So hopefully we can put in a big performance
04:40for you next weekend. And obviously the facilities here from a coaching point of view are sort of top
04:45notch, obviously, you know, everything you could need here really, isn't there? Incredible facilities,
04:49really enjoyed it thus far. So still finding my way, but thus far been an incredible first week.
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