Lyndon’s Rise to First XI All-Rounder
It has to be admitted that audience members at the regular meetings of the Nottingham Cricket Lovers Society (NCLS) are not in the first flush of youth. So they surely raised an eyebrow or two when 25-year-old Lyndon James talked, as he did at their December meeting, of being “excited by the young kids” coming through to the Notts first team squad.
Lyndon, now established as the seam bowling all-rounder of the First XI, was reflecting on the transition of the team from a successful, and dominant, Second Division side to one still trying to secure a firm foothold in Division One.
“The step up was really something”, he said, “and I struggled a bit in the first season.
“The Covid season was tough to take”, recalled Lyndon, “We were the best side but the way the
tables worked we were placed third and had to come back to the Second Division when the Championship resumed.
“But I had my best season as we secured promotion and really felt that I had earned my place”.
And that place has indeed been well-earned. Lyndon James, born in Worksop and very much a ‘local lad’, has played for Nottinghamshire teams at every age group from under-11s, captaining many sides along the way.
That included skippering the Nottingham Second XI when established first team stars like Alex Hales and Ben Duckett played the occasional game, something that didn’t faze the younger Lyndon James.
Captaincy is a challenge that he enjoys – and wants more of: “I appreciate the way it keeps you on your toes, you can’t switch off at any point.
“I’m learning a lot from watching ‘Has’ (county captain Haseeb Hameed) who is doing a terrific job and I am always pleased to be asked for my ideas.
“The dream would be to one day be the captain of a Notts team to win the County Championship – that would be the highlight of any career!
Thus far that career has seen some important milestones, including representative cricket at different stages, from playing for the Nottinghamshire Academy in the Premier League to England Lions tours. He also spent one winter in Sydney, Australia, playing club cricket.
Despite his considerable credentials as a red ball player with a very calm approach to cricket, he relishes the excitement and atmosphere of the white ball game.
“T-Twenty nights at Trent Bridge are amazing”, he enthused, “especially on a Friday against a side like Derby, the crowd are great. I love the noise and the thrills.
“I’m still working out my best role in T20 but there’s no better feeling than hitting one into the crowd; I feel like with each game I learn more about myself”.
Lyndon also said that he does not fear the role of ‘death bowler’, something he has done a few times, and identified the skills required at that stage of the game as something he continues to work on.
With more than 100 games across all formats for Notts, Lyndon was awarded his County Cap during the 2024 season. “It was a thrill”, he said, “I knew something special was happening because my Mum and Dad were there and Dad was in blazer and tie!
“To get the cap with them watching was extra special”.
The first part of the December NCLS meeting was a showing of a 30-minute Heritage film from the Media Archive for Central England (MACE). It was a ‘Glimpse of the 1964 Season’ at Trent Bridge with action shots from county and international matches and some behind-the-scenes footage of the office staff and groundsman Harry Dalling and his team. The occasionally dry humoured commentary was by former NCCC President Jack Elliott.
Membership of NCLS is £15pa, or entry on the night for £5 per session.
The next meeting on 9 January will have a 2pm start; speakers are Annie Chave, editor of the County Cricket Matters website and former Somerset and England spinner and now TMS summariser, Vic Marks.
Full details of the 2024/25 programme from nottscricketlovers@outlook.com.
December 2024