Robinson reaps benefits

Press, 23 March 1988, Page 32

Robinson reaps benefits

by[

BOB SCHUMACHER

I East ChristchuVch-Shir-jley’s cricketing import (from Northamptonshire, Mark Robinson, returned (to England this week (far •more confident irj riis own (ability as] a fast ,bowler 'and a fieldsman. || (! . Robinson hope; that the confidence gained from his rewarding season] in I the Christchurcl? ( senior : championships will • re'main with him as ] he (lodges his clairp for a I permanent place ]in ' his county’s (elite squad. ; There |is little time] for the lanky! Robinson to .'rest' ihis long limbs'; pre-season I training starts on [April 1 ( and the I first (game is on April 19i| ( After two seasons as a professional 1 cricketer, Robinson', a yoking England represeritative, was “thereabouts”] when: it came to sqleciing the Northamptonshir j Tirst XI last season arid he made several (appearances: for-, his county’s-top team. His chances of becoming a more regu ar member have been boosted by the inclusion bf i the overseas! players I on) the Northants books] Winston Davis and Roger Harper, being named in the West Indies si'quad] as has a .third West India i bowler, Curtly Ambrose, the latest addition] to [an already well-stocked fas: bowling armoury. ] "That‘could be good for me but (even] so the competition I is interise,”) said Robinsori. . | I Robinson ] considers himself a better all-round player after hi; | stint at East-Shirley.l “I’m a lot more in the groove, tactically more ( aware, and I’m a lot more confident both as a bow er and a fieldsman.”'] It took Robipson, who celebrated his tWenty-first birthday while with the club, some time (to adjust to the earlier start — matches in Eng and begin an hour later 4- and he admitted to a j lack of energy in the morning initially. “I came to terms with it by getting up

earlier,; at 7 a.m.”. He (missed, too, ; the chance; of match practice during ! the week. "You’re often whiting seven days for the ( next I game) at home you’re playing almost every day. I needed a decent bowl midway through ( the week.” | ’ If Robinson considered he benefited from( his summer) stay in Christchurch, East-Shirley, without a ( genuine quick bowler, (prospered by his presence. His pace, allied with late movement] enabled him to snare 60 victims at a cost of (15.15 runs each. He bowled nearly 310 overs and' conceded 909 runs. I

Robinson claimed 35 of his wickets after ; the Christmas break, but although (the bulk came in the second half of the season,'he did not feel his bowling differed too much.! || i I I

“There were .two .main factors,) firstly I we ;were away more from Burwood and the flat tracks there and I w(as getting the edge more, (and there was a change! in luck for our team with a„few things

going! in our favour.’’ | Asked his observations of .first grade cricket iri Christchurch, ( Robinson said that the standard better than h'e had expected but whereas ] most teams had as many as eight i batsmeri [capable |qf making 30s br 40s few seemed able? (to cdnsis - entlylscore 70s and!BosJ; “POssibly that is whdts wrong with I Canterbury cricket — a lack o'f real stars.] But I was I most impressed with Rod iHtham ' as a batsmari rind Andrew Nuttall las j | a spinner, and most] sides seemed to Have!; one decent [quickie." ' ' (' i, What impressed Rodin?

' I I I ‘ ' |:| ’ - 1 son more than anything, however,! were the opportunities, coaching ]] and playing,] given] to schoolboy cricketers; | “What the kids are getting here ]is totally different tb what; happens in English schoolboy cricket which is almost non-exis-tent except in the (public schools] I think New Zealand will reap [the benefits [in the future.” ( |. •;: Robinson said that he enjoyed his cricket and the sobial life at EastShirley! “There were difficulties early on, but then we i started learning how to win,| to get stuck in and take | ; matches by the scruff (of the neck.” j I Since Christmas and to the (time of Robinson’s departure, East-Shirley had not lost a senior game. I ] Robinson has bben offered a contract to return i and he is keen to do so. However,iit is an!option which he will/keep (open throughout the English season before making a final decision. He is to see a 1 specialist about “a lazy eye” in England and if an. operation is needed then it will have to be at the end of (his county’s cricketing j programme.