Crawley out to redress balance

John Crawley is determined to make sure that Hampshire reach finals day this year

The Rose Bowl is set to host this year’s domestic Twenty20 Cup finals, but Hampshire have never reached finals day since the tournament’s inception.

With the chance to participate in the new Champions League on offer for the two finalists, as well as the opportunity to play to a bumper crowd on their home ground, it is something they are keen to redress this season.

County cricket veteran John Crawley knows what a boost it would be to have the hosts competing at Southampton, and the effect finals day will have on Hampshire cricket.

“It means a huge amount,” he told ecb.co.uk. “It would mean a huge amount more if Hampshire are in those finals. It has always been a competition that Hampshire want to do well in.”

Hampshire qualified for the quarter-final stage of the tournament in 2004, but are yet to reach the zenith and a place in one of the most eagerly-anticipated days of the domestic cricket calendar, by players and spectators alike.

“Historically we haven’t done very well at all, but there is a huge added incentive this year to get in here at our home ground on the finals day.

“It would be magnificent for the club.”

Crawley admits that the prospect of winning the Twenty20 Cup provides him with extra motivation to carry on playing.

The 36-year-old is in his 19th season of county cricket, but has not entertained any thoughts about retiring any time soon.

Hampshire will miss the services of Shane Warne who led Rajasthan to victory in the IPL 10 days ago

“It’s a great game and a great life, and I’m very fortunate to have been given that opportunity for that period of time,” he said.

“Internal motivation for me is very easy at the moment. I’ve never won the Twenty20 so that is a big motivator.

“I’d also like to drive this club forward with the team it’s got and the development it has got planned over the next 12 months.”

Hampshire have a balanced squad, and Crawley thinks that could be the key to their success in the shortest form of the game this year, despite missing out on the services of successful Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne.

The leg-spinner and former skipper of Hampshire turned his back on the county after signing up for the IPL and a lucrative poker tournament, but Crawley believes they still have the talent to reach finals day.

“You can’t replace someone like Shane Warne,” he confirmed. “You can’t replace his energy, his enthusiasm, his drive and his skills.

“But one thing you can never do in this life is turn back time. You have to move forward.

“With players of that calibre leaving it creates opportunities to move forward carrying on what you have learnt from under him with a new generation of players.

“We’ve got a good blend in the squad of young guys and more experienced guys.”