Salt of the earth

Andrew Salter being congratulated by team mates
after taking a wicket in last year's final at Lord's

As motivational talks go, the one received by Andrew Salter when he linked up with England U19’s must rank as one of the best. There were no Churchillian speeches, no ‘This is your Everest’ moment as relayed by Jim Telfer to the pack of British Lions forwards chosen to take on the Springboks in 2009, just a simple one that ensured the young stars of the future knew just how good they were.

“Most of you will play first class cricket, some will go on to play for England,” was what they were told, 16 simple words to the best young cricketers in the UK that year.

It takes talent to reach that standard; a natural gift that few possess. Talent can get you that far when you are that age but to reach the pinnacle of any sport requires something more, something that millions of us do every day and most don’t enjoy, something that Salter has been doing all winter as he hones his craft to forge a career in first class cricket and that something is called work.

For Pembrokeshire cricketers (unless you play indoor league) a pre-season consists of nothing more than trying to hit batsmen with bouncers in ill-equipped nets or smacking the leather off the ball with little thought going into technique or application.

For Salter, his pre-season has been slightly more structured as the coaches of Glamorgan help nurture this gifted all-rounder from St Ishmaels into a player of substance.

It started in October as he worked with Robert Croft with a series of video analysis that helped compartmentalise his bowling action to iron out any deficiencies that may have crept into his game.

After Christmas, game specific scenarios were introduced (depending on the format) as the countdown to the season began and it’s this attention to detail that separates the pros from us amateurs where pre-season practice is concerned.

In a series of one-on-one sessions, Glamorgan’s latest off spinner worked with the Welsh legend on a variety of situations that may creep in as a game unfolds.

“Crofty and Toby (Raford, Glamorgan’s new head coach) are very big on thinking about field settings. Where are the batsman’s strengths, where are their weaknesses? And by looking at an opponent’s game, we can practice bowling to fields and then think about changing them as this impacts how a batsman thinks.

“We then talk about different ways of approaching bowling in the different formats. In four day cricket you can slip into more of a rhythm as you try and get more shape and dip on the ball and as the game goes on and the wicket deteriorates hopefully the ball will turn more and you’ll pick up wickets but in one-day cricket, it’s totally different.

“In one-day cricket you have to keep them guessing. You basically have to bowl a different ball every ball. You have to vary the angle on your crease, vary the pace, bowl more arm balls and keep them guessing all the time otherwise they’ll smash you out the ground.

“We talk about bowling on different types of wickets too and what to do when a batsman comes at you. If it’s a slow wicket they have to put more pace on the ball so how do you draw them into making a mistake? How will they react when you change your field, how will you compensate for doing it? You’ve always got to be thinking.”

It’s clear from speaking with him that he thinks a lot about his game yet if it wasn’t a suggestion made by former Glamorgan opening batsman Alan Jones, Salter may never have tried off spin in the first instance.

“When I was a teenager, I thought I was quick but I wasn’t so in nets one day Alan suggested I gave spin a go and I never looked back.”

He certainly hasn’t. Skipper of England U15, plus caps at U17 and U19 level not to mention a wicket with his first ball in first class cricket suggest a player on the rise and although he hasn’t cemented himself as a Glamorgan regular just yet, he can count an appearance at the home of cricket on his burgeoning CV having played for Glamorgan in the final of last year’s Yorkshire Bank 40 Final.

He shone too impressing Sky commentator Nasser Hussein with his maturity as he took the wickets of Samit Patel and Michael Lumb in figures of 2-41 off seven overs despite having to cope with the pressures of the match and of course, the famous Lord’s slope.

“It caught me out while batting but I didn’t really notice it when bowling to be honest as the day was going too fast but it was a fabulous day and the Glamorgan fans made it even more special.”

He may be playing with the big boys now but he doesn’t forget where he comes from and credits St Ishmaels for helping him reach his potential. When they won the Harrison Allen Final in 2007, he opened the batting as a 14-year-old and scored 64 in the first innings against Carew. Few clubs would select a player of that age in such a game let alone ask them to open the batting but ‘Tish did and they reaped the rewards as a result.

“They’ve been very helpful and supportive. They gave me an opportunity and I surprised myself with what I achieved. I didn’t think I would be able to cope but I did and it just shows that when you throw a young player in as to what they can do. I can’t sing their praises enough. It’s a top club.”

And Salter is proving to be a top man both on and off the pitch.

Andrew Salter factfile:

Highest score: 191 not out Glamorgan U17 v Essex U17

Best bowling: I honestly don’t know but I’ve had a few five fors (his Cricinfo stats are here but that’s just for top level cricket)

Fastest Bowler faced: Simon Jones indoors. Ajmal Shahzad is quick too

Best Batsman bowled to: James Taylor, he manipulates the ball well.

Best local bowler: My brother James, one of the quickest around on his day.

Best local batsman: Phil Kirkby or Simon Cole both very good players.