Guy Williams speaks to two characters who were key in the development of England’s Test captain
When England-skipper, Joe Root, 26, tosses up with his opposite number Steve Smith at the start of the Ashes series in Brisbane this coming Thursday, back home two Yorkshire-born coaches, who played important roles in Root’s development, will be watching him proud as punch.
Kevin Sharp, 58, now Worcestershire’s batting coach and a former Yorkshire batsman (1976-1991), was Yorkshire’s batting coach from 2003 until 2011 and supervised Root’s first net session at Headingley’s indoor school when the future England captain, then 12, arrived from Sheffield.
A few years later, Root was awarded a sports scholarship by Worksop College, an independent school in North Nottinghamshire, and not far from his home at Abbeydale in Sheffield. So between 2006 and 2008, Joe’s natural ability and huge potential were encouraged by Worksop’s Director of Sport and Cricket Ian Parkin and groundsman and coach Allan Kettleborough, now 80, who has just retired after almost 30 years at the school.
A former Yorkshire Seconds batsman and experienced Yorkshire League cricketer with Sheffield United and Rotherham Town, who also appeared in the Huddersfield League and the Bassetlaw League, Kettleborough worked closely with Yorkshire as their prized possession grew into a batsman of rare class and quality.
“I knew straightaway that Joe was going to be a good bat. For a lad who was only 12, he had the X-factor about him,” remembers Sharp.
“He had a remarkable knowledge of the game. Joe chatted like an adult, knew his strengths and weaknesses and drove his own net session by telling me to challenge him.
“After the first net, I went to see Ian Dews, in charge of the Yorkshire academy, and told him Joe would eventually open for Yorkshire. I’d seen how smart technically he was. Joe was a bit special, was a thinker and was the full package as a lad and as a cricketer.
Denne historien er fra November 17, 2017-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 17, 2017-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.