Interviews

James90

Slats: Welcome back to WCC Interviews. It's been a long time off the air waves on WCC Radio but it's finally back, bigger and better than ever at the request of WCC chairman Simon. With the new season having just kicked off I thought it'd be interesting to get a fresh approach from one of our new managers, James90 manager of Glamorgan. Welcome to the show James90

James90: thanks, it's an honour to be here

Slats: How does it feel to finally have cracked it into the big league?

James90: It really hasn't sunk in yet, I really was thrown in the deep end and am still finding me feet in the whole system

Slats: Word has it that the Glamorgan fans are looking for fresh new approaches to the side to help them out of the lower divisions. Let's start with four day, what do you see as being the sides weaknesses

James90: depth in the batting for sure we only have 4 specialist batsmen with reasonable experience

Slats: On paper Glamorgans batting side has been labelled the worst in WCC by many. Do you think there's any chance you will be able to compete? If so what players will be important

James90: Obviously our top order will have to perform We have test experience in Andrew Strauss and Martin van Jaarsveld and hopefully they will perform and also inspire the rest of the order to do likewise

Slats: It's obvious your bowlers will have to perform and they look strong. Stuie Gill performed well last week in the OD against Canterbury and Yuvraj Cole looks an important addition. Do you feel you have the back up outside these two?

James90: Yes, Fazil is a young upcoming quick who has impressed in preseason and has scared a few batsmen in the nets recently, Bucknall is also one to watch out for in the seasons to come

Slats: OD wise the side looks more balanced with some good all round talent. What are your realistic hopes for the season giving that it is your first one in the top league

James90: I just want to see some solid individual performances. However the sides will often be picked solely on attitude and potential so that we can look to being a force in the future i'll rephrase that However often some people will be picked solely on attitude and potential

Slats: Any hopes of promotion at all in the short term, or are you looking at long term goals?

James90: Long term is that main thing at the moment, with the experienced figures of Strauss, Agarkar, van Jaarsveld and Singh we think we have a strong core and from that we can work some youngsters into the side and find the best XI. This will hopefully set us up for the future and get us a few wins but really promotion is a long way off, I'll just be taking it one game at a time

Slats: Speaking about these experienced guys, everyone knows that Glamorgan haven't been able to hold onto a manager for a while and rumours have sprung about the player/coach morale in the squad. How are you finding getting on with these older players? What role do they play in the club?

James90: To be honest I feel a bit intimidated by some of the older members. They seem to think they have more control over everything and have a better idea of what's going on. I suppose that's fair enough and it will help me to be a bigger picture of how things are done around here. The senior member try to show responcibility, but sometimes they go too far

Slats: All in all it sounds like you've got a tough job at Sophie Gardens. If you had the opportunity to manager one side in WCC who would it be

James90: I would like to manage a div 1 team because it's the elite of WCC however as far as teams go I would love to manage Victoria. They have everything we don't, I mean I wouldn't mind batting Moss at 9

Slats: Wouldn't everyone. In your short time you spent at the academy who do you think is the next big thing in WCC?

James90: There were a couple of players in my squad at Buenos Aires who I was particularly impressed with, North and Hollins, despite being two of the best players in the acadamy they have a fantastic attitude and dedication to cricket which will serve them well in landing a contract in a higher ranked club

Slats: Seeing as his new to the WCC scene I think the public should get to know your personal side. Is there a missus on the scene? any kids?

James90: At the moment there isn't a lot happening but who knows what might happen in the not so distant future. Perhaps you might see little James2006's running around

Slats: If you had 10 bucks left in your wallet and you weren't getting any more money... ever.... what would you spend it on

James90: Only $10 for the rest of my life? Well considering there aren't many $10 shares flying around I would probably put it down at the TAB

Slats: Thanks for joining us on WCC Radio James90, a tough job lies ahead at Glamorgan, but one which could be very rewarding.

James90: I sure hope so