Why Harrison is the man to change Beaconsfield’s fortunes (From Bucks Free Press)

Why Harrison is the man to change Beaconsfield’s fortunes

5:30pm Thursday 15th March 2012 in Your Say By Jonathan Hughes

About a month or so ago the paper broke the news of Beaconsfield Cricket Club securing the services of former High Wycombe, Oxford and current Bucks captain Jason Harrison as player/coach for the forthcoming cricket season. After deciding to part company with Oxford I have no doubt that a number of clubs would have been in for Jason throughout the winter and this signing is a major coup for Beaconsfield Cricket Club. Even now I am fairly confident in saying that this really is the capture of the close season in local cricketing terms!

In 2004 I was lucky enough to be a part of a High Wycombe side that was captained by Harrison and in the subsequent years I also featured in a handful of Bucks sides he lead - finding out first-hand just what it was like to play in a side under his command. At the time of joining High Wycombe Harrison was a huge factor in me switching allegiances from the comforts of Dukes Lane, Gerrards Cross to the somewhat unknown entity that was High Wycombe Cricket Club. At the time my aims, his outlook for me and where he wanted his team to go was the perfect match and it wasn’t one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make if I’m honest.

In meeting Jason for even the shortest amount of time people who don’t know him would get an immediate sense of his enthusiasm for the game, commitment to the cause and pride he takes in what he does, plain and simply you would realise pretty quickly why I am tipping him to be the man to bring some success again at Beaconsfield!

However some of you by now are probably asking why and what exactly does he bring to the table for an amateur cricket side? Well…Jason brings a number of qualities that are ultimately based on a totally professional outlook. It is very much about the preparation – from team training sessions, team building exercises to off the field meetings he really does try to leave no stone unturned. Once you are part of the team he really does back you 100% and in return expects a commitment. Thinking back I can remember a difficult time when I was at Wycombe where I had lost complete confidence in my bowling and was looking for any excuse not to get to the ball in my hand, Jason pulled me aside and showed belief in me that I didn’t even have in myself, this was extremely motivating and this is the type of confidence he will bring to the young players at Beaconsfield this year.

That said this year may be a little bit of cultural change to some of the players at Beaconsfield. Jason’s not always everybody’s cup of tea and plays in an aggressive manner that some people may find a little intimidating, personally I’m all for it – I think it comes down to success and the levels one will go to achieve this, make no bones about it Jason is a winner and by all accords that’s the reason why Beaconsfield have brought him in. You only need to look at his record at Wycombe and Oxford to understand that! And….don’t get me wrong with this in mind he may rattle the cage a few times on the morning of a match which may come as a shock to the system of some of the younger players at the club. Put it this way those playing in his side may have to have a re-think of their Friday night plans, they won’t be hitting the bright lights of the Old Town the night before the game or if they do they better have a decent cover up story!

Although I am tipping Jason to be a success and for Beaconsfield to have a good year it will however come at some cost – although I don’t want to get into the off field private matters of things what I do mean is the cost of commitment. In order for any side to be successful it requires so called ‘buy in’ from the players, they need to agree to the new mentality and back their man in all circumstances. If they do this then I can see a very good 2012 for Beaconsfield Cricket Club!

P.S Ironically and nothing to do with our relationship, I only lasted the one season at High Wycombe Cricket Club in 2004!

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