Gloucestershire tap into power hitting specialist Julian Wood to revive one-day fortunes
Gloucestershire have turned to a specialist 'power hitting' coach in an attempt to improve their one-day fortunes.
Former Hampshire batsman Julian Wood has been leading net sessions at Nevil Road, passing on baseball-based techniques designed to accumulate quick runs in 40-over and Twenty20 cricket.
The County's director of cricket John Bracewell said: "We have been working on our power hitting this winter and have brought in a specialist coach in Julian Wood, who has spent a lot of time studying it in America with baseball.
"It is all about players putting themselves in the right position and using the right levers to clear the boundary.
Get 10% off your GAP insurance with ALA.co.uk using the promotional code LW10
Contact: 01653 916304
Valid until: Wednesday, June 18 2014
"A small guy like Chris Taylor could hit a long ball and it is not all about muscle and strength.
"Dan Housego also hits a long ball, but he didn't realise he could do it because of the type of cricket he had been restricted to before joining us.
"We provided him with two more formats than he was used to and he discovered that he could hit sixes over extra cover, which is a very difficult place to defend.
"We looked for a specialist coach who could teach the players the mechanics of hitting long balls and Julian has been coming in twice a week every second week to spend full morning sessions with the lads.
"You can see the benefit already with the cleanness and sound of their hitting. Young guys are more malleable to change and are not afraid to give something new a go.
"They have been very receptive to Julian's ideas. He was with Hampshire as a player and he is now hoping to fill a gap in coaching.
"He is the only person we know of doing this job, so I'm delighted we have got hold of him."
Comments