Happy memories

By MTWD Admin
February 12 2021

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

Simmo – I take each day as it comes; I am able to keep fit and go on daily jogs. I try to avoid too much chocolate but being stuck indoors most of the time is difficult. I was fortunate to have 2 months in the sun staying at my parents’ apartment in Spain. It is currently difficult because, like you I am a social animal. The vaccine at least gives us a light at the end of the tunnel. 

MTWD- How’s the training going? 

Simmo- it’s good to see familiar faces. We train in bubbles. Currently, I’m with TRJ, Robbo, Luke Holman and Tom Helm (who is now with England set up).  We have our own exercise programme to stick to privately, which I adhere to. I prefer group training but understand why this cannot be fully carried out. 

MTWD- How are Bury FC doing these days?   Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked?.

Simmo- I will finish the call now!  I have a soft spot for the club and have played at Gigg Lane. It is very sad them folding. They are reforming as AFC Bury and hope they can follow the AFC Wimbledon model.  I am friends with the new Chairman and we are hopeful they can be rejuvenated. I am a Man United fan, but for the sake of my popularity please don’t print.  

MTWD- As a keen golfer did you consider that as a professional career? 
Always welcome at North Berwick, one of Scotland's finest links courses? 

Simmo- Not professionally. I have always loved the game and was an 8 handicap at the age of 14. At that time, it looked promising I would have a cricket career. I find golf therapeutic and often play between cricket fixtures. I have played on many courses including in Scotland. I have not played at North Berwick but when I do please give me the number of your Scottish friend. 

MTWD- Describe your formative years as a cricket fan and player?

Simmo- At the age of 9 I was trying out leg spin. I then decided keeping wicket is more suited to me. I followed my granddad and dad at Ramsbottom CC in the Lancashire League, where the standard was high. They both helped my game. Kiwi international Chris Harris was their professional and gave me tips and helped me develop. When I was able to, I watched Lancashire CC.

MTWD- Who were your childhood cricketing heroes? 

Simmo- Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Healey (who I have worked with). and Warren Hegg  

MTWD- What are the main challenges as a young man in moving to a new part of the country and how much support did the club provide? What extra could they do to encourage others in a similar position?

Simmo- London is very different to rural Ramsbottom and was daunting. It helped previously having six months in Melbourne where the lifestyle was contrasting. I settled in Hampstead, which is a lovely area. I found the tube odd and in London discovered road rage. The club were very supportive and checked in on how I was managing. They are conscious of challenges facing everyone who moves to London for first time. Some players have struggled and moved on and I and can understand how this can happen.

MTWD- How did you feel taking over from one of the great Middlesex wicket keepers that being Ben Scott. Were they big gloves to fill? 

Simmo- I was under no illusions Scotty being one of the best keepers in England and Nashy being a Middlesex legend. We all got on and I am still in contact with them both. We worked well together and I was learning from them. It was tough breaking into the team. I made my debut after 3 successive tons for the 2nds. Then my aim was to hold a regular place. Ben accepted this. 

MTWD There’s only one position available for a keeper so it must be quite unique to be in competition with others but having to work together to improve each other. Have you struggled to cope with that? (Thinking 2014? with Rossington and now Robbie White) 

Simmo -  As above I embrace challenges and this avoids complacency. We work together and encourage each other. In training keeping is sometimes neglected without specialist coaches. I was grateful when Gus bought in Jack Russell (another childhood hero of mine) as a keeping coach. Of course Nik Pothas is now helpful with my keeping. 

MTWD  Do you get signals from the bowlers about what they are going to bowl, or do you read it from hand? 

Simmo_ I always rely on reading straight from hand. It was different in the old days where touching hats etc. was a signal. The only time I recall was last year in BWT? at the Oval. Last wicket I could see Ricky Clarke looking to go down the pitch. I indicated this to Sowts. He bowled one pitched up down the leg side and was stumped.  

MTWD- What is it like keeping wicket with the Lord’s slope? Is there an end you enjoy more?

Simmo- No preference, each end has its unique challenges. I have learnt how to read the slope and how it affects movement off the pitch. This is often difficult for visiting keepers

MTWD- Batting coach Dave Houghton. Was he an influence in your run accruement improving markedly in the past three or four seasons?

Simmo. No doubt he has. Mark O’Neill and Ramps have also been influential.  

MTWD What do you think was your best catch/stumping/innings ... and what do you think was your most important?

Simmo I’ve taken many catches/ stumpings I cannot think of a particular stand out one. I feel special pleasure out of any stumping standing up to Murts. 

There were many important innings during our 2016 winning championship season

That innings at Taunton on my birthday (see next question).

Against Nottinghamshire away when in trouble I scored with Franco close to 100 partnerships to see us through by 5 wickets

The infamous arrow game at The Oval. Had we lost we would have definitely been relegated. With an injured Compo at the other we battled to make us safe in that game. Unfortunately, that match will be remembered for other reasons.

I remember against Unicorns batting with the tail at Lord’s just about seeing us home to avoid an embarrassing defeat.   

MTWD Can you talk us through that innings at Taunton in 2016?

Simmo- I got a duck first innings. Buck declared giving us a chance for an unlikely victory. We got off to a flyer. When I was in we lost a few quick wickets. Tim Groeneweld was bowling wide and I decided to not chase these and bide my time. He was eventually rested and Allenby became hittable.  JK took a particular liking to him and suddenly we were in with a chance. There was more loss of wickets and I found myself on strike from the penultimate ball with 2 wickets down needing 5 runs to win. I will always backing myself in these situations and had the perfect ball to clip off my legs straight into the stands. Happy birthday!

MTWD- Describe the celebrations when we won 2016 Championship

Simmo- I don’t remember too much about the celebrations. I recall inviting the Yorkshire team to join us in our dressing room for some beers, which they did. The proper celebrations were in The Tavern and it was great to join the fans. I vaguely remember players serving pints behind the bar and downing these in one.  Much of that evening and morning was a blur for some reason.

MTWD-Why do you think we since declined?

Simmo-  Lots of factors. Complacency, loss of form, injuries. The main one compared with 2016 was not a consistent line up.

MTWD- How did you feel when we lost possibly two of our best shorter form players in Stirling and Malan and would you like to move up the order and maybe even open? You are one of the players who give me 
confidence when I see you walking to the wicket?

Simmo- Don’t forget Morgan. I asked to open, but am happy to play anywhere. The Club thinking was my power hitting is better for the middle order. They also wanted an “old hand” batting with less experienced players like Luke Holman

MTWD- What was it like playing in front of no spectators?   

Simmo- Odd. Biggest differences is during 20/20 games hearing all the players especially the expletives

MTWD- How do you see Middlesex CCC future?

Simmo. We are on the right side of a transition period. It may need a few years before we can think of winning trophies. Our younger players will need time to develop and be consistent. I’m hoping Handscombe will be available to play which would help our balance. 

MTWD-Do you read MTWD?

Simmo. No. My mum does. I prefer conversations like I once had with Beefy rather than reading what fans say.

BK- Thank you for taking the time to speak to me. 

Simmo- you are the worse interviewer I have ever experienced

After 1 ½ hours our 30 minute interview finished.  There was a part when Simmo mentioned Kenny Everett’s character with large hands, but can’t remember in what context. For me it was an absolute pleasure.