Thursday, March 16th, 2017

Question And Answer Session With George Rhodes

Question And Answer Session With George Rhodes

All-rounder George Rhodes made his breakthrough into the Worcestershire senior side during the second half of last season.

Rhodes had a debut to remember live on Sky Sports with 2-34 from 10 overs against Yorshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup win at Headingley.

He then went onto claim a spot in the Specsavers County Championship side during the latter stages of the season and produced some determined performances with the bat.

Here George looks back on that first taste of action with the first team and his ambitions for the future in a Question And Answer session with the Worcestershire CCC website.

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Question: How do you view how things went in 2016?

George Rhodes: "I loved it. You do notice the step up and as a person I quite enjoy that. I was under the pump a few times being a youngster around the circuit who just came in.

"I think it went reasonably well, obviously not perfect in terms of where I want to be in terms of the season.

"I think everyone wants to achieve as much as they can in their career and I'd like to do that.

"Looking back, I'm glad it happened last year. At least I was around the team a little bit more and played a little bit, so I enjoyed it."

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Question: You made yourself difficult to dislodge as a batsman?

George Rhodes: "I think so. I'm not as lucky as Clarkey (Joe Clarke) in having all the shots. Players like him find it pretty easy to score whereas I find it a bit harder.

"You've just got to find a way to score and, if that means me staying there as long as I can, getting a few runs, then happy days."

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Question: Were you comfortable in the number five batting position?

George Rhodes: "Anywhere where I can be fitted into the team, I'm happy whether it's bowling and batting lower down the order, or maybe not bowling as much and batting a bit higher.

"You've got to adapt to roles in this game. It's played at 100 miles an hour and you've got to be adaptable as a player."

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Question: As a young bowler, did you find batsmen tried to target you?

George Rhodes: "Potentially, especially as a spinner. As a young spinner, you probably feel a bit more under the pump compared to a well respected spinner like Jeetan Patel.

"You've got to be adaptable and find a way to survive in the game.

"Batters are getting better at playing spin, there is no doubt about that. They are getting better at scoring and putting spinners under pressure."

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Question: Has 2016 whetted your appetite for the forthcoming summer?

George Rhodes: "Absolutely. I really enjoyed last year and I just want to do my bit for the team as well as I could.

"I just can't wait for an opportunity this summer if it comes along and maybe I can cement myself a little bit more in the team than I have done (in 2016)."

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Question: You started off well in that One-Day Cup match away to Yorkshire with 2-34?

George Rhodes: "I was delighted for the opportunity in the first place and thankfully it went reasonably well.

"At the time it was a way for myself to get into the team as a bowler, particularly in one-day cricket."

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Question: You've again gone abroad for the winter (with Tea Tree Gully in Adelaide)?

George Rhodes: "Particularly as a spinner-batter, it is important just to play, play as much as you can, and match practice is the best practice.

"It is a bit different for a fast bowler because of the workloads they have but, as a spinner, the more you bowl the better, and as a batter, facing different conditions and different types of bowling, you are only going to get better."

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Question: Finally have you reaped the benefits from working with Norman Gifford (Worcestershire spin bowling coach).

George Rhodes: "Definitely. He is a legend of the game and his knowledge of cricket is unbelievable.

"He is really one to go to when you want to work out a batter and that competitive edge he has is quite insightful. He has been fantastic."