Darren Gough (Yorkshire)
Yorkshire wicket keeper Simon Guy chats to teammate and newly appointed captain Darren Gough about a brand new pre-season, a challenging fitness regime and tough selection decisions.
How have you found your first month in the job?
I’ve enjoyed it, but if I’m being honest, I keep finding myself forgetting things. I am not usually a forgetful person but I just have a lot of things on my mind at the moment! It’s been hard picking the side for the first game because we have such a talented squad of players with very little to choose between them.
Are there any differences in a pre-season at Essex compared to the pre-season you have had at Yorkshire this year?
At Essex, we were run by Ronnie (Irani) and myself (as vice-captain). We tended to concentrate a lot on cricket. We would usually go away on tour pre-season and as soon as we got back, our nets outside would be ready. Fitness wise, it was up to the players as individuals to go and do their gym work in the afternoon, after their nets.
Here at Yorkshire, the focus is very much on strength and conditioning, which is overseen by Dean Riddle. We tend to get outside about ten days after the southern counties and have not practised that much on grass. Ideally, I would have liked the opportunity to play a few more practice matches - and a pre-season tour would have been nice.
Have the conditioning coaches taken it easy on you, or have you been flogged like everybody else?
I have always enjoyed my training. Obviously, I cannot do the things that I could do ten years ago, especially with my knees, but at Yorkshire there is a good understanding between the players, physios and conditioning coaches with the programs tailored to the individuals needs. I now have to do the cycling tests, which run along side the other guys training and I can assure you it is not easier!
I can certainly vouch for that - they are killers! Onto Yorkshire - the club has come a long way since Christmas, with people leaving and new and old faces joining?
When I first came back, I was told that the club was down and quite low, and I was hoping that my personality would help lift the mood. I still feel energetic and bubbly, even for a man of 36! It also helps having Martyn (Moxon) back at the club because, with his experience, he can help guide me on the right path. We know each other very well, and it helps having somebody like that around you day in, day out.
Who will have the final say on the pitch conditions and selections?
I don’t want to ask too many people, as I feel it confuses the situation. I have a good vice-captain in Anthony McGrath and I have Martyn, but it will be my decision at the end of the day. I will stand by that decision and, if it goes wrong, I will hold my hands up. I am not the kind of person to shy away from the confrontations of leadership.
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