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 | | You are in: Cricket: Counties: Worcestershire |
 | | Sunday, 14 April, 2002, 17:48 GMT 18:48 UK New Road's Australian legacy  Liptrott bowls Steve Waugh during Australia's visit to New Road Speaking to BBC Sport Online's Matthew Allen, Worcestershire pace bowlers Chris Liptrott and Alamgir Sheriyar pay tribute to the influence of a trio of Australians over the last few years at New Road. Worcestershire's signings of Glenn McGrath in 2000 and Andy Bichel last year may not have pleased the purists who advocate the promotion of English-qualified talent. But home-grown bowler Chris Liptrot is not one to complain about the conveyor belt of Australian bowlers making their way to New Road in recent seasons.
The 20-year-old believes he has benefitted from working alongside some of the world's best bowlers. And, with former Aussie all-rounder Tom Moody in his second season as director of cricket at New Road and Bichel back for another year, that influence is set to continue. "I have heard people say that overseas stars prevent home-grown youngsters get into the side," Liptrot says. "But I have learned a lot from having such quality bowlers around. "Glenn and Andy both took time to tell you how they go about their game, but you can pick things up just by watching them in the nets. "I have learned from them how to be more disciplined in my approach to the game and in my bowling. "They always drum into you that if you continuously hit the right line and length you will get your rewards." Form slump Fellow paceman Alamgir Sheriyar says the Antipodean influence has also helped him since his move from Leicestershire to New Road. The 28-year-old had a superb 1999 season with Moody as captain. He took 92 first class wickets and was rewarded with a place on the England A winter tour to Bangledesh and New Zealand.
The return of Moody in the front office last season saw Sheriyar return to his best form with 71 wickets. "Tom has been a big influence on me at Worcestershire, and I was happy to see him come back," says Sheriyar. "He always backs you to the hilt as long as you are putting in 100%. He won't just sit on the sidelines if you are going through a bad patch. McGrath and Bichel have also had a positive influence at Worcestershire, believes Sheriyar. "Glenn was never too busy to sit down with you and talk about the fundamentals of bowling and it was the same with Andy. "That is what you are look for in your overseas players. I have been lucky that Worcestershire have had three great overseas professionals in my time here." Fashionable again Liptrot and Sheriyar are both looking forward to the start of the new season. "My ambition this season is to break into the first team on a regular basis and take 50 championship wickets," says Liptrot.
Sheriyar has his sights set on international recognition. "It would mean the world to me to play international cricket and the best way for me to do that is to help Worcestershire be successful," he admits. "Players get looked at more by the England selectors if they are playing for a successful county. "Worcestershire used to be seen as an unfashionable county but that has all changed since Tom Moody's return and the changes he has made here. "Of course every player has got half an eye on the World Cup and I would love to go there. "But to play in any international game and represent your country would be a dream come true." | |
See also:  Other top Worcestershire stories: Links to more Worcestershire stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||
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