“Every day is a school day”, or so they say, but after an enlightening recent trip to Mumbai with the Worcestershire County Cricket Club Academy, Jake Libby confirmed the phrase has never proved more relatable.
After 13 years as a professional cricketer and at the age of 33, it is fair to say the Worcestershire vice-captain is one of the most assured, collected and experienced heads across the Club.
After being asked to join the Academy on their winter “batting against spin” clinic, Jake jumped at the opportunity to freshen up his training programme, but also try his hand into the world of coaching – previously unchartered territory for the opening batter.
Jake, invited on the tour by Academy Head Coach Elliot Wilson, said he was more than happy to impart any wisdom possible to the young Worcestershire hopefuls, given their willingness to learn.
“I was really impressed about the group we have got, and it all culminated in that last day against Notts, where we played some really good cricket in that one game we had.
“But through the week I thought the boys’ attitude and how they sort of embraced the trip was really positive, but really professional for such a young group. I think that caught me off guard a little bit, how much they wanted it and worked so hard, and for about four or five hours each day in very hot conditions they were so applied.
“Just the way they kept asking questions, they seemed engaged all day. And yeah, I feel like they got loads out of it for themselves. I was very impressed obviously with the talent, but more so the work ethic and attitude.”
Joining the group for the 10-day clinic in Mumbai, Jake spent his time coaching the young cohort of batters, helping them negotiate new conditions and new challenges that were provided by the local spin bowlers, whilst also getting padded up and stuck in himself in whenever the chance arose.
With many of the young group having never been on an overseas camp before, Jake’s calm nature and experienced presence around the squad, especially away from the nets, was welcome, according to Elliot Wilson.
Having never coached in a formal capacity before, the players’ application and willingness to learn made the first-team regular return home with a very different outlook on coaching, even considering it as a possible career avenue when his playing days eventually come to an end.
“The first thing I would say is it made me feel very old, being around all the 17, 18, 19, year old kids! But I actually found it really refreshing for me. It gave me a lot of energy just seeing these guys and how much they want it.
“It was nice to give a little bit of knowledge and a bit of explanation on my sort of path through and explain a bit about how I got into the game. I think it was well received from them, or it seemed to be, but considering it is something I haven’t really done, coaching is probably something now at the stage of my career where I’ll be looking to try and help some of the youngsters to come through.
“I feel like I’ve done that over the last couple of years in the first team, with a few of the youngsters coming through there and I guess it was just nice doing that in a more official capacity if you like.”
With over 7,000 first-class runs to his name, Jake’s superb end to 2025 saw him lift the Metro Bank One Day Cup trophy at Trent Bridge, before beginning another winter of preparation alongside his duties as a father of two.
With Spring upon us and a new cricketing summer quickly honing into view, the eagerness to return to action is radiating through the squad according to the man with 154 appearances for the Pears.
“Once you get into January in the new year, it comes around really quickly. We even know with a slight change in the weather, the slightly longer days, it definitely feels like the cricket season is not far away.
“But yeah, it comes around quickly, certainly this time of year, and before we know it, we’ll be having the last hits involved and before getting outside. And I think the boys are in a really good spot to do that.
“We work really hard this winter. There have been quite a few lads actually here as well, but it will be nice to meet up with the boys that come back from abroad, get back together as a group and really crank it up.”
