Adams - Grizzly: my life and times in cricket

First published by Pitch Publishing, 2015

Pitch Publishing

A2 Yeoman Gate

Yeoman Way

Durrington

BN13 3QZ

www.pitchpublishing.co.uk

2015, Chris Adams, with Bruce Talbot

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A CIP catalogue record is available for this book from the British Library

Print ISBN 978-1-78531-060-7

eBook ISBN: 978-1-78531-123-9

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I TS not where you start nor where you end that matters, its the journey that counts. When Peter Moores left to become the England academy director in 2004 he gave me a framed selection of pictures showing the two of us enjoying and suffering many moments together at Sussex. Below it he had those words inscribed in bold letters. They really struck a chord with me and have stayed with me ever since.

Writing this book has reminded me not just of the many triumphs and disasters that are experienced through any life or sporting career but just how many people contribute and assist you on that journey. It would be impossible to personally acknowledge everyone who helped me on my way but rest assured there is a place in my heart for every one of you and I cannot thank you enough.

I do, though, wish to say thanks to a few very special people and organisations to which I will always be eternally grateful.

Mum, Dad and David. We may not have had the fairytale family but I could not be more proud to be part of it. All of you have given me all the love and support any son or brother could ever need and without it I know I would not have got as far as I have in my journey.

Special thanks, as always, to Staveley Miners Welfare, Chesterfield Cricket Lovers, Repton School, The Rank Foundation, Derbyshire County Cricket Club and, of course, my beloved Sussex for giving me the platform and support to fulfil my dreams. And to Paul and Jane Camillin and everyone at Pitch Publishing for their help in putting the book together.

To all the coaches who worked with me on the way and all my team-mates in every team I represented, thanks. The camaraderie of a dressing room is unique and cannot be replicated in other walks of life. Great times!

To Bruce Talbot, who not only had to sit and watch me play for 11 years at Sussex through all the agony and ecstasy, but has had to endure hours and hours of me talking and reminiscing for my book. There was only ever one person who could have and who I would have wanted to write it. You are a champion, mate.

To Michael and Sandra, my wonderful in-laws. You took me into your family and made me feel very much part of your lives from day one. And Michael, you were right about Samantha!

Finally to Samantha, Georgia, Sophie and Mollie. You are my world and the most important people in my life thank you. The next chapter in our lives is the beginning of a new exciting journey and I cannot wait. Onwards and upwards.

Chris Adams, West Sussex, August 2015

I TS a pleasure to write a few words by way of introduction to Grizzlys story and what a tale it has been. Ive been fortunate to share some wonderful times with him when we worked together at Sussex.

Before we linked up in 1997, Id come across him a few times during his time at Derbyshire. I remember quite early in his career when they came down to Eastbourne in 1992 and Chris stationed himself at short extra cover during a one-day game, bravely diving around like a goalkeeper with those big hands and stopping everything. I thought then that he had something about him.

As a batsman I always felt he was at his best when he played aggressively. When he was in form he had a front-foot pull shot that he would play to respectable, good-length balls. And when bowlers were forced to adjust their length, he would drive them down the ground.

Chris is at his best when he is instinctive, allowing his intuition to guide his decision-making. We saw that during his time as captain of Sussex but also as a batsman. He always seemed to be able to spot the danger ball and when it was in his area he found a way of scoring runs. He had the ability to hit the ball hard, though more importantly a competitive instinct that more often than not found a way of winning the situation. It was a proud moment for everyone at Sussex when he got his opportunity with England in 1999. We were all willing him to do well and although it didnt work out at Test level he perhaps deserved more opportunities in one-day international cricket.

That, of course, worked to our advantage as he grew into the captains role at Sussex. At Hove it was a classic combination of a new captain and a new coach finding things out together and, though occasionally we made mistakes, we saw the game from the same perspective and realised to be successful we needed to be a united front. We decided early on that we wanted to play aggressive cricket and create an environment where we enjoyed ourselves, while working hard to keep improving every day. Chris was fiercely ambitious right from the start and though he started as an inexperienced captain he always had presence as a player and led from the front. The goal to win trophies was always strong, though we both realised that to achieve this we needed a culture and an environment that would allow this to be sustainable. In many ways winning would be a by-product of how we went about our business.

We had some great times together at Sussex, most memorably of course the County Championship win in 2003. It was fitting that when Murray Goodwin hit the winning runs, Chris was at the other end. He led us magnificently that year, most notably for me after a tough loss at Old Trafford in the penultimate game. This was a time for certainty, to have no doubts and to believe in yourself and the team. These traits came naturally to Chris and he duly led from the front as good leaders do. It had actually been a tough summer for him with the bat and I remember countless hours in the nets as he searched for the form that was eluding him. In the end, like all good players, he worked out a way. In his case, he freed himself up, trusted his ability and allowed his talent to shine through. This sounds easy, though in the pressurised environment of a title challenge it is far from it. He wasnt afraid to make tough decisions and often trusted his instinct which served him well in many pressure situations. This was a time when many players emerged together and we all felt excited about what was happening and what we might achieve. Chris finished on 11 seasons as captain which will be a tough record to match for anyone in the future. To lead for that length of time requires a strength of character and a resilience that is rare, along with a desire to build a legacy of sustainable success. Chris had these qualities and an ability to let the non-important stuff go and focus on the things that really mattered.