Lyndon James began logging thoughts from inside the Nottinghamshire camp in the winter of 2021, writing a series of blogs on the structure, process and outcomes of pre-season.
In a continuation of that series, the 23-year-old discusses his time on his first England Lions tour - a visit to Dubai - from how training has been set out, to understanding how his game fits within his national team's blueprint, and candid knowledge sharing with individuals from across the county circuit.
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This is my first Inner Sanctum Scribe since last winter, and a lot has been achieved, both personally and as a team, since then.
It would be remiss not to touch upon promotion from Division Two of the County Championship, following a season in which we set about to achieve a title and, after a lot of hard graft, did just that.
For players, because of the effort that goes into each and every four day game, victory is hugely rewarding. Everyone across the squad contributed, and to have scored nearly 900 runs myself was definitely pleasing, albeit as elite athletes, you are always looking onto the next goal and what you can go on to achieve.
For us, that is winning the County Championship; we feel like we have the potential to compete at that level, so after celebrating and taking a few weeks off to wind down, focus, on a collective level, has turned to 2023.
The opportunity for me to go on my first England Lions tour to begin my winter has been amazing. Whilst you always dream of international honors, it isn’t something you really are able to focus on, because it is just a by-product of sustained performance.
It feels like a reward for the work that I have put in over the last 24 months in particular, and I have really enjoyed my time out here in Dubai.
Being Myself
Naturally, it is slightly daunting entering a new environment, but even before joining this group, I set a goal for myself not just to be grateful that I am here, but to learn as much as I could, and prove that I can fit in at this level.
What I’ve learned is that a positive approach for me, looks a bit different to other people. It is about working out the strengths of my game, and backing them wholeheartedly.
It would be easy to be a rabbit in the headlights as one of the youngest players here, and allow the experience to wash over me, but I have made a conscious effort to be the best I can.
For the players, it was reassuring that the coaches, right at the start of the tour, told us we were here for a reason. We didn’t need to feel like anyone was judging us, or that we needed to play any differently or try to be someone we are not; we are here because of our performances on the county stage, that put us at ease.
On the whole, the focus has been about pressure, both knowing when to apply it and when to absorb it. Every player goes about that in their own way. What I’ve learned is that a positive approach for me, looks a bit different to other people. It is about working out the strengths of my game, and backing them wholeheartedly.
Scheduled Scenarios
The bulk of our work here has entailed reacting to Test Match scenarios in the middle.
People told me I would hit a lot of balls while I was here, which I have, but I thought a lot of that would be in the nets, working on skills, when actually most of it has been setting up situations and playing those out.
For example, we used the same wicket five days in a row. On one of the days, the situation was that I was coming in when we were 70 ahead, three wickets down, and the opposition had just got the ball reversing. I was facing Matt Fisher for six overs, and then a spinner.
I’ve developed an understanding of when to assert myself, and how to do so within the framework of my own game.
On the fifth day, my team needed 280 to win off 70 overs - Hass ended up hitting about 130*, and I didn’t actually get in because we knocked it off.
With England’s new game plan being to take a positive approach, I have tried to work out how I can make my game fit; in essence, understanding what positive looks like for me. It’s not entirely different to the way we play at Notts, but we’ve got the added complication of different conditions here.
With Ian Bell and Jim Troughton, who are the coaches I have been working with, I have chatted about different scoring options. In the sub-continent, the worst thing you can do is get bogged down, not rotate strike, so I’ve developed an understanding of when to assert myself, and how to do so within the framework of my own game.
It’s important to remember that you might get one or two bad balls an over in county cricket, but in Test Matches you might get one every two or three overs, so it’s important to capitalize when you get the chance.
Knowledge Sharing
We’ve been helped by the blend of personnel in the group. Hass has been himself; he loves batting, he hits loads of balls, is curious to learn and get even better, even though he is a World Class player. But he is also really good to chat to, having played in India and experienced the environment of Test cricket.
The feedback between each other has been quite honest, which is really beneficial. Hearing from international bowlers like James Anderson, Jofra Archer, or the lads who are on this tour like Matty Potts - who has offered a lot of insight into the England team under Stokes’ captaincy - on how they are trying to get me out, or how they think we could play certain scenarios, is helpful.
Sometimes after sessions, you get players or coaches saying ‘well done, good session’, just trying to keep players happy. That is important when the credit is due, but I think it’s helpful to have bowlers stating where we might have looked vulnerable.
Looking Forwards
We have a couple of days left here in Dubai before we head to Abu Dhabi to play against England as they prepare for their tour of Pakistan.
It’ll be a slightly weird game, because they’ll be focussing on getting workloads up, getting overs in legs and time in the middle, but it’s another chance for us to impress and show what we can do against the best players in the country.
Obviously that includes Ben Duckett who has been in unbelievable form for a few years, and deserves his chance in the Test side.
There are actually a lot of us out here now with a Notts connection. Joe Clarke, Jake Ball, and Steven Mullaney, are all out here. I’m sure we’ll have a team meal to catch up.
Hopefully, by the time I leave, I’ll be able to look back and say that I have made the most of the trip; that I’ve thrown myself into it. That’s my approach to life really - I don’t want any if, buts or maybes.
I am still early in my journey in professional cricket, but I want to make the most of every opportunity that is presented to me, and really test myself to be the best I can be. This is part of that quest, and it’ll continue through this winter in preparation for an important 2023.
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Trent Bridge will host three international matches in 2023, with the sole Test Match of the Women’s Ashes taking place at Nottinghamshire’s historic home, before England’s men face New Zealand and Ireland in IT20 and ODI contests respectively.
Secure your seats at trentbridge.co.uk/internationals.