By David Slater
November 15 2003

Chad Keegan was one of the revelations of the County Cricket season this year, taking 99 wickets in all competitions, but also impressing with the bat, taking the focus of his changing hairstyles! MTWD (Middlesex till we die) caught up with him after the Hampshire match in September. MTWD: What inspires your changing hairstyles and what will it be for next year?

CK: My sister has a lot to do with that. My girlfriend saw a picture of some guy with long hair and went “that looks sexy”. So I think it might go a bit longer.

MTWD: Do you ever feel pressurised having to lead the bowling attack at such a young age?

CK: No I feel confident and I go in with confidence and bowl in the right areas. I hope that I will get better and it’s been going well so hopefully it will stay like that

MTWD: Your taking a role as a fans favorite. How does that make you feel?

CK: That’s great. I love all the kids that come to watch. I always have time for them. The crowd give me great support and it’s great. I hope I can perform for everyone.

MTWD: Were you disappointed not to make the England Academy squad?

CK: It would have been nice to have made it but after bowling 500+ overs this season, I think I just want to put my feet up for a while and relax a bit.

MTWD: What else will you be doing over the winter?

CK: I’ll be trying to find some good waves and go surf somewhere where I can lye on a hammock under a palm tree.

MTWD: What would you put your big improvement this year down to?

CK: I’ve tried to simplify my bowling action, figure out what was causing the problems in my back with John (Embury), Jason (Pooley) and my dad to sort it out working on my feet and getting closer to the stumps. It’s helped with injuries; obviously I’ve played in all 16 games this year so that’s great.

MTWD: Your batting has improved a lot this year. Do you now see yourself as an all-rounder in the one-day game?

CK: Well growing up I used to be an opening batsman but my bowling took over and my batting went down hill. Coming into this year stuck at number 11, I didn’t have much confidence. I think it’s coming back now and I know that I can do it and hopefully look to be an all rounder.

MTWD: You bowled slow left arm yesterday (last day of Notts FCC match). So you see yourself being able to switch from right arm fast to slow left arm?

CK: I think that would mean me bowling more overs and I don’t really want to do that, so yes I only started bowling left arm when I injured my right arm.

MTWD: Do you have any good dressing room stories to tell us?

CK: I think Nashy is the one to ask about that. I tend to sit there and laugh at everyone and err, tape Tim Bloomfield’s shoes to the roof the other day and he couldn’t find them so when I came in my kit was everywhere so I shoved a banana in his pads. I don’t know if he has realised yet so that was good

MTWD: That’s great Chad. Well done for this year and good luck for next season

CK: Thank you