Before domestic season, Jones boost for Jharkhand pacers

The 43-year-old will guide speedsters, including skipper and India international Varun Aaron, at a 10-day camp in Ranchi from August 27.

Steffan Jones served as the bowling consultant for Hobart Hurricanes at the Big Bash League last season.

 

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Steffan Jones does not have his England and Wales Cricket Board coaching badges. But the former Somerset and Derbyshire cricketer, has over the years, developed a different approach to bring out fast bowlers.

The 43-year-old pace guru has often mixed biomechanics with cricket. During his stint as the bowling consultant for Hobart Hurricanes last year, the likes of Stuart Broad reaped benefits from Jones’ approach.

And now, the cricketers of Jharkhand will also get to spend a few days with the pace pundit ahead of the domestic season.

To ensure that the fast bowlers remain fit before the gruelling season, the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) has invited Jones to conduct a 10-day pace bowling camp in Ranchi from August 27. During the camp, Jones is expected to work extensively with the pacers of the state, and help them out with physical and mental fitness. “It will be a pre-season camp where the bowlers from all the teams (U-16, U-19, U-23 and Ranji Trophy) will participate. This will help the boys get a head start before the season,” JSCA secretary Debasish Chakraborty told Sportstar on Monday.

The camp will see the participation of Jharkhand’s top bowlers like Varun Aaron. India international Aaron, who has been retained as the Jharkhand captain, is excited for the camp. “I am looking forward to it. The season is really important for me and the team. As the captain, I would definitely want to win the Ranji Trophy. We lost the semi-finals last time,” Aaron said.

The speedster also hopes to impress the national selectors ahead of India’s tour of South Africa. “Personally, I am trying to put up a good show before the South Africa tour. So, this will help,” he said.

The JSCA secretary also revealed that the regular coaching staff will be there during the camp to help Jones. “This will help them monitor the bowlers throughout the season. This session will be beneficial for all the players,” Chakraborty said.

Before hitting the ground in Ranchi, Jones will also spend a few days with the young cricketers in Bengaluru’s premier cricket coaching centre, Karnataka Institute of Cricket.

The cricketing fraternity holds Jones in high esteem, and now, the Indian cricketers too would be hoping to learn a thing or two from the English ace.