News

Nigel Jones talks about his experiences so far direct from Sri Lanka. He tells us about working hard, keeping cool and how he rather remarkably misses the weather back home….
It’s been non-stop since we arrived in Sri Lanka. With double sessions almost every day for the first week we all just had to get stuck in. We knew there was no point in moaning as we are all fully aware of what we’re working towards as a group here, so we are just putting in the time together and it’s been paying off.
 
The toughest thing I’ve found over here is keeping cool which is important when you’re a bowler. I find it really hard just holding onto the ball so I always try to have a towel on me – the only problem is that 10 minutes later, the towel is soaking and I need a new one! Any game I’ve played, the 12th has had to keep helping me out and I’m certainly adding to the squads laundry bill!
 
I’m originally from New Zealand so I am a little more used to the heat than some of the other lads but I have to admit I miss the weather back in Ireland – I never thought I’d ever hear myself say that! Although I’m sure that will change when I get back.
 
We don’t usually have a lot of energy left to get out and about in our spare time so when we have time off I usually chill out with Whitey (Andrew White) or try to get some work done so I’m not too far behind when I get home.
 
It was hard leaving my wife at home. We have a two-and-a-half year old and my wife is pregnant with our second so I will have to work up some serious brownie points when I get home! What better to win some brownie points than to get some wins out here and extend our stay in Sri Lanka, irony no surely not! We would of course extend our stay here in Sri Lanka if we can get through at least one of our group B rivals in the shape of Australia and the Weat Indies.
 
Yesterday was very frustrating. We were up early and after breakfast and monitoring we left the hotel at 8.30 for training. Just after we finished all our warm-ups and were about five minutes into the session, the rain came and put paid to all training for the day. We just had to wait around and watch it fall – something we’ve grown accustomed to over the summer back in Ireland.
 
In the afternoon we went to plan B which was batters and bowlers meetings. In the evening I just chilled out and watched Batman Begins, a quality movie.
 
It’s not long now before we play Australia. I see myself as an Irish Kiwi and since New Zealand has such a big rivalry with the Aussies it would be great to get one over on them. If we turn up and really hit our straps then we can keep our winning streak going.  Before that we play Bangladesh tomorrow and the boys are pumped to put one over the side that came to Bangladesh and beat us on our own patch. More importantly is that everyone keeps getting time in the middle and overs under their belt and I’ve no doubt all our preparations have put us in a very good place for the event proper that starts on Wednesday.

Nigel Jones
I hope to keep cool if called upon to bowl
Yes