22-year-old Durham Cricket right-arm pace bowler Josh Coughlin was looking forward to another season at Emirates Riverside but like every county cricketer their preparation was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Josh recently caught up with Steve Harmison and Jonathan Norman for TalkSport2’s Cricket Collective speaking on the lockdown period, preparation for when the season does come around and his brother Paul Coughlin returning to Durham.
“Yes, this lockdown is very frustrating, looking out the window to really nice weather. In April it’s normally cold and windy at Emirates Riverside so looking outside onto some sunshine is quite demoralising that we aren’t out there playing cricket,” he said.
“I think everyone is in the same boat where we just kind of want this to blow over as quick as possible and hopefully get some cricket in this year. It’s the first time for me, in as long as I can remember at this time where I haven’t been playing cricket and everyone is kind of feeling that frustration at the minute.
“We are five weeks into the lockdown now and starting to see some light but with the announcement of cricket postponed until July 1st, it seems so far away, but ultimately you have that goal to look towards.”
Josh said: “While at home and in our houses there is only so much you can do to stay physically fit, you can keep your fitness up, but I think skills wise you would need a couple of weeks at least to get back in the nets and get back into the routine of training and getting your body right for cricket.
“You can’t go to the local cricket club to stay fit, which has been put on hold for the minute. So, to get everyone into the routine of training together and back into the shape of a routine and being able to perform over a one-day game or a four-day game would probably take a couple of weeks.
“They may say we can train for five weeks before we start or two weeks, the picture is pretty unclear at the minute – hopefully we can get word on that soon and then we can go from there so as a club and country we can get back on the pitch.”
The younger brother of first-team all-rounder Paul, Josh was delighted to see his brother return back to Chester le Street.
“When Paul left, I was on the Academy, so we played together once I think, when I made my first-class debut, he was captain.” Josh said.
“Having him back was going to be really exciting, not just for me but for the club. I know quite a few of the lads who he grew up with, have held him in high regard and to hopefully have him fit and firing for what was going to be the start of the season was going to be quite promising.
“Last year we were close to promotion and just missed out across all formats so hopefully he could have provided that boost which you need to just get over the line. I would imagine he would be as frustrated as I am, and everyone is. As we all know this is an unusual time so he will have to sit and wait like everyone else to be ready for when we get called upon.”
Like many of the Durham squad, players are using this time to take up a new skill and study academically.
Josh added: “I was out on a walk yesterday actually and mentioned the PCA.
“Different players have been doing different things, like writing blogs, that sort of stuff. We have been getting emails every day, pushing us on an avenue which wouldn’t normally be on our minds at this time of year.
“Just giving us things to explore from university courses to online courses – things that you can get your head around and at least it gives you something to do and fill your day in, while we are waiting for something to happen. You have to explore different avenues definitely as you never know it might be something to fall back on.