Luke's good

By MTWD Admin
January 25 2021

Luke Hollman opens his heart to MTWD with some promising news aboutthe future.

MTWD- How are doing on the whole, during these unprecedented times?

LH It’s been challenging not being able to go out while living with my parents. I’ve tried to stay fit and have a sensible diet but with restrictions not always easy. It is great to be back in training with Middlesex

MTWD How often do people spell your surname with one not two lls? 

LH- Quite often and is mildly annoying but I am not phased by it

MTWD-When did you start to think/realise you might be good enough to be a professional cricketer, In other words do the club say to someone when they are about 14, 'If you take this seriously, you might be good enough to make it'? I think Richie Benaud argued that you needed to be a teenager because of the strain on the wrist). 

LH-I was part of Middlesex Colts set up from the age of 7 and realised I had potential. In those years I was a sporting all rounder and enjoyed football. At my school at the age of 13 there was no cricket played so I joined North Middlesex CC. That was when I saw my potential and decided to just concentrate on cricket. I joined Middlesex academy at the age of 16. At the age of 17 Daniel Vettori helped me further realise my potential. I have now been a pro for 1½ years.     

MTWD- A MTWD contributor has a 9-year-old son who is bowling leg spin. He is quite taken aback to how much the coaches have already worked on his run up and action. Do you think there is such a thing as over coaching?

LH-  (No hesitation) yes there is! I was a victim of over coaching which was detrimental. I just needed to keep bowling naturally with advice on some tweaks on my action. At a young age it is important to allow some kind of natural development.

MTWD Before being signed were you a Middlesex CC fan?

LH- Absolutely. My dad Pete is a big fan and still a member. Between ages of 6-12, we went to many games together. There was on one occasion against Derbyshire Steve Kirby was on the boundary with me in Lower Mound stand hearing his vocal comments and me saying something back in banter as a true Middlesex fan. Unfortunately I missed our 2016 Championship winning day as I was at school

MTWD-Would you ever join Surrey?

LH- No!

MTWD- how are players coping with the Covid restrictions? Are players still able to train in groups- or certain players in on certain days- or is it back to keeping fit at home? 

LH- Under circumstances they are in reasonable spirits and it is great we are back together in training. The training is carried out in small groups with distancing applied

MTWD- Although Middlesex signed you primarily as a leg spin bowler, you have an excellent record as a batsman for North Middlesex as an opener in the Middlesex county league, last year topping the batting averages for the league, with an average of 118. Do you have aspirations to regularly bat at 6 or maybe even higher for Middlesex? 

LH- for sure. I aspire to become a genuine all-rounder and bat even higher than 6. Stu (Stuart Law) is encouraging me to develop my batting. I open with Joe Cracknell for North Middlesex. We are both determined to hang round as long as possible as if we are out it is a long wait before we are back on the field again and the wait can be boring.  

MTWD-What do you think of the standard of club cricket in the county? Are there others who could make the transition to professional ranks and is it an attractive enough proposition?

LH The standard is high and is a genuine stepping-stone to County Cricket. Ben Compton (Nick’s cousin) is now with Notts and was snapped by Kent based on his performances for Richmond. Josh de Caires is one for the future. 

MTWD-How was season 2020 for you?

LH_ pleasing to be selected and able to put in some good performances

MTWD-Do you have a preference for red or white ball cricket or does he hope to embrace all three formats in time. Certainly made a decent T20 entrance.

LH I like to be able to adapt to all 3 formats, but my preference is red ball cricket. 

MTWD As a spin bowler I'm wondering how much importance you put in having a 'spin twin' to maybe build some pressure on the batsman. 
I'm thinking of Edmonds and Emburey and later Murali Karthik and 
Shaun Udall both pairs were wonderful at controlling a game. 
Then there was Phil Tufnell who I don't think had an out and out spin partner 
but was superb at his craft.  Would you like to bowl as a pair?

LH – I prefer working in pairs where one bowler can build pressure on paving the way for the bowler at the other end to take wickets. Nathan, Tilhan and myself encourage each other and we work well together there is not a feeling of being in competition with each other.  

MTWD- does the marginalisation of the Championship to the end of the season affect how you approach the role of a spinner? Typically you'd expect the best spinning months to be July/August.

LH-I’m from old school and prefer playing throughout the summer and particularly prefer cricket in July /Aug. I am not a fan of the new format, but have no choice and won’t let this affect me.

MTWD-What was it like playing to empty crowds?

LH- To be honest for 20/20 games it helped. It took some pressure off and I was able to concentrate more. I kept saying to myself this is just like another game. Ironically, the day before 20/20 game at an empty Lord’s I played in front of approx. 200 people in a Middlesex Cup game for North Middlesex. I am confident at some a stage this season fans will be allowed in and I look forward to performing in front of a crowd 

MTWD- what is the biggest crowd you have played in front of?

LH- There was a game where I was advised 850 were present. I was 12^th man for a Lord’s 20/20 sell out. I had no active role, but at end of innings walked on to replace Eoin’s broken bat for last ball of the innings. He was very particular on which of his 20 bats should be used. He chose right as hit the last ball for 6. 

MTWD-Do you read MTWD?

LH- As I Middlesex fan I am a big MTWD fan have read this for some time. I appreciate when under performing feelings will run high and players are under scrutiny.

MTWD how did you see Middlesex CCC future?

LH We have been in transition and I feel the downward trend is over. There are exciting times ahead with the right blend of youth and experience. We have first class coaching staff and am confident we will soon be challenging for trophies

BK- Thank you for taking the time to speak to me. and best wishes from all at MTWD

The interview was scheduled for 20 minutes. It lasted 50 minutes.  I also discovered Luke is an AFC Wimbledon football fan. I promised to buy him a drink at The Tavern this year. Here’s hoping.