Tom Jones is one of ORTCCs star players. A member of our first team, Tom is talented with both bat and ball. He is currently listed in the top 10 senior batters and bowlers for the club. Tom is a great role model for our junior players and has recently been awarded with ‘Performance of the Week’ after achieving an ‘explosive 42 off 19 balls’ in one of his matches! With a name like his, it’s not unusual for a lot of jokes to come Tom’s way, but he takes it all in his stride and brings fantastic skill and plenty of experience to ORTCC. This one will certainly make you laugh and yet, no doubt, will also bring a tear to your eye. You simply cannot miss it!
What is your name and which ORTCC team do you play for?
Tom Jones, 1st Team (or whatever team selected in!)
Do you have a nickname and if so, can you explain its significance?
There are a few, probably not for social media though – we will go with Jonesy, plain and simple.
What sparked your interest in cricket?
I initially became interested in primary school PE lessons, which ended in an invitation down to the local junior training nights. I haven’t really looked back since to be honest.
Do you have a cricketing superstition, if so, what is it?
For some reason I always tend to put my left batting pad on before my right. Also, when taking guard I always try to make sure my mark is clean, and feels smooth to scratch. After every over I will remark my guards 3 times each or until they are smooth! (Sorry Mike!).
Who is your club cricketing hero?
Tough one to single anyone out on this – there’s a few people I really respect. I learnt a lot from Andrew Mercer (both good and bad). Although Richard Smith (Smudge) has played a massive hand in my development as a player and individual I’d say (although he might not know it). When smudge spoke, I always listened. His record goes without questioning either, it’s a pity I didn’t get to play more cricket with him!
Who is your favourite professional player?
I don’t really watch much cricket away from playing, although I do like the way Jos Butler bats when he gets going – always liked watching Sam Billings bat too.
Who is the funniest at the club?
Again, there are a few, especially after a few beers. Andy Baybutt is probably my go to. Richard Everett never fails to make me laugh on a Saturday either with some of the things he comes out with.
Which team-mate is the tidiest in the changing room?
Nails, without doubt. If you need anything on match day- its Nails, he has a pocket in his bag for everything.
Who is the most humble player you’ve played with?
Again, would probably be Nails. One of the best keepers I’ve ever played with, but will always do what is needed from a team or club point of view also. He’s one of the most genuine blokes I know.
Sam Heeley would also be one for me – never is really one to blow his own trumpet, although recently he does keep telling us about his slower ball against Karl Brown last year!!
Both with bags of ability and first names on a team sheet if I was picking one!
Who has been the biggest influence on you?
My Mum, Dad and family have always supported me throughout whatever choices I’ve made with my cricket. It would be wrong of me not to mention them after spending so much time, money and effort ferrying me from one ground to another, and making sure I had the right kit and equipment when I was younger. It almost became a second job for them and for that I’ll always be grateful.
When I first arrived at Orrell, I always looked up to Andy Baybutt who was just finding his feet in the first team. He would always be laughing and joking at training and seemed to do well, more often than he didn’t, on a match day also. He obviously went away to Ormskirk for a few years, playing at a fantastic club, with fantastic players and facilities, in fixtures I knew I eventually wanted to be a part of. I remember growing up I would always message him to say good luck or well done, and check his play cricket on a Sunday or whenever it was through the week to see how he’d gone on. As I say, we have always kept in contact, even with me playing away from Orrell for a few years also. His influence on me and my cricket recently has been amazing.
He’s become more my best mate, brew maker, proof-reader for my uni work, gym spotter- the works, if I’m honest! If I am struggling with anything he’ll be one of the first people I message, that’s with anything, not just cricket. I cannot thank him enough for what he has done and what he does for me.
What one tip or piece of advice would you pass on to our juniors?
Relax, enjoy your cricket and show a good attitude!! Something I have been and still am guilty of is not relaxing and becoming worked up too easily when something isn’t going strictly to plan. I’ve learnt the hard way unfortunately, so that would be my best advice to pass on – I feel everything else can be coached to a certain extent.
What is your favourite post-match drink?
A cold can of coke or any lager if we are celebrating a good win!
What is your favourite food?
I’m torn between Italian and a chicken burger.
What is your favourite football team?
I don’t really follow football as a fan, I am more rugby league, and support the champions St. Helens.
What is your favourite away ground?
Colwyn Bay is always a nice ground to play at with it being a 2XI and out ground for Glamorgan. Although locally, I don’t mind playing at Leigh -I always know going there that it’s going to be a good contest with it being one of my old clubs – that probably adds to it.
What is your favourite band/singer?
My music taste is all over the place really, I am a big fan of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran. I must admit also Justin Bieber appears on my Spotify from time to time too.
What would be your T20 theme tune song and why?
With a name like mine, Alan takes it out of my hands; it’s always been Delilah or Sex Bomb!
What is your funniest or most memorable moment at ORTCC?
There’s a few in the dressing room…ones that can’t be mentioned. Although as recent as last week, to cut a very long winded (literally) story short – a member of our first team, shall we say misjudged passing wind and had an accident in the warm-up!
The way he told the whole story to a select few, made me cry laughing under the circumstances and only this week has it surfaced into conversation luckily for him!!
I’m not naming any names, although the person only admitted this after beating the opposition and after fines, but I think this exception needs to paper after the next game! £££
What is your proudest cricketing achievement?
My proudest cricketing achievement has to be without doubt playing at Lords, The Home of Cricket V MCC for MCC Young Cricketers.
My Dad and sister were able to come down for the game and sit in the stand. I opened the bowling from the pavilion end and took two wickets.
After all the setbacks, injuries and being told I was never good enough – that day will always stick with me for the rest of my life.
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Another top read. Love these articles