BOWLING coach Matt Mason insists overseas star John Hastings will improve ‘game by game’ and described him as ‘one of the first names you’d want in any team’.
The burly Australian all-rounder has enjoyed a mixed start to his Pears career with an early injury before he was called up for the ICC Champions Trophy campaign, which saw his country eliminated by England.
His return to New Road saw him record 1-97 off ten overs in the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final and four wickets in the County Championship victory over Kent.
Speaking after the Kent clash, Mason backed his countryman and said: “John is one of most competitive guys I have ever come across and one of the best team men.
“He’s key to this dressing room. I think he would agree he hasn’t hit his straps with the ball yet but he’s only played three Championship games.
“He’s been in and out with firstly an injury then on the sidelines for the Champions Trophy and had to come back to bowling with the red ball.
“He’s had to do it the tough way but I think we’ll see John’s contribution improve game by game.”
As the season approaches the halfway stage, Mason said he was happy with his bowling attack’s efforts so far in the 2017 campaign.
“So far I have been very pleased. First and foremost I want to commend their efforts, they never stop trying and they are a very good bunch.
“They are very professional in everything they do from preparation and training to recovery, they spend a lot of time together and have formed a tight unit.
“They don’t always get the rewards they deserve but they never stop trying so I can never be too critical.”
Mason highlighted the efforts of his bowlers who went for 474 in Kent’s second innings, leaving the Pears a chase of 399 to win their recent County Championship clash.
“People were probably questioning them after day three but when you see our chase to win the game you realise it was a tough wicket to bowl a side out on.
“The guys deserve the recognition they get because we aren’t full of 90mph, 6ft 5in fast bowlers. They have to work very hard to get the rewards.”
Mason said he was in regular contact with captain Joe Leach over his workload to ensure he remained fresh for matches.
“Joe is the sort of character who doesn’t want to miss a game, he’d keep going even if his legs were broken!,” Mason said.
“He’s smart, he’ll speak up when he is feeling jaded, but I don’t think his captaincy has been affected. He’s led from the front and that’s why we like him as our leader.”
