By David Slater
December 29 2003

“The ‘rymple” as he is known finished life at Oxford Uni, captaining their Cricket team to a Varsity double in 2003, in June and is now preparing to embark on his first full season as a professional cricketer. MTWD caught up with him after the Hampshire match to discuss his hopes for life as a pro. MTWD: You’ve mad the switch from being at Oxford University to now being full time at Middlesex. How big a change to do you think it will be in your career?

JD: It’s a very important change to be honest. There’s a lot more preparation before a match and I’m beginning to fit into the squad a lot better now I wont be appearing half way through the season in future.

MTWD: How did it feel scoring 236 and a 5 wicket haul in the Varsity match?

JD: It was great and it was great because if you like Varsity the result is everything and by the time we got 500 on the board and bowled them out once it was a good as won. Personally it was wonderful as, as a person you’re always striving to do as well as well you can but as a part of a team performance it was wonderful.

MTWD: In the last few matches your bowling has been a bit hot and cold; sometimes being the standout bowler to being one of the most uneconomic; do you think having the whole winter to work on your cricket as supposed to studying will lead to greater consistency?

JD: I’d hope so. I think sometimes you’d have to look at the way figures end up at what they are. There’s a lot about numbers but some days you can bowl well but go for more then you normally would and then some days bowl less well but get away with it. My consistency should be improved by regular preparation.

MTWD: You’re looked on as bit of an all-rounder, batting at number three against Essex in 2002. Do you feel that will be a strength in the County Championship or a potential weakness?

JD: My view is that it’s a strength. That’s where I’m looking for the greatest improvement in my game with going full time. I’ve found every year that when I’ve come back to Middlesex that keeping the batting going through one-day Cricket and into four-day Cricket with the two different styles of play has been difficult. I’m hoping to improve that situation over the next few years

MTWD: Thank you Jamie. Good luck for next season and have a good winter.

JD: Thank you