Anyon hails new attitude

James Anyon puts Warwickshire's revitalised attitude this season down to the new coaching set-up at Edgbaston.

Ashley Giles has come in as director of cricket, with former England bowling coach Allan Donald resuming the role with his old county.

Seamer Anyon is on the fringes of selection for Warwickshire - he has played just two matches in all competitions this season - but he believes the arrival of Giles and Donald has played a large part in his own improvement.

"If you're not going to learn from Allan, you are not going to learn from anyone," Anyon told ecb.co.uk.

"He's one of the best there has been, and a Warwickshire man as well.

"They have brought the experience of playing at the highest level. They have both had good careers. AD is one of the best fast bowlers in history."

But it is not just their abilities as players for which Anyon has such high regard, with the way they approach the game also coming in for praise.

"Ash has been the ultimate pro and he has been a good performer for England," added Anyon.

"They have brought the professionalism with them and they have brought a sense of fun."

The new management team has already reaped some reward, with Warwickshire beating Northamptonshire in the second LV County Championship match of the season, a game they looked destined to lose.

It was a positive attitude from the players, handed down from the powers above, which was central to the victory and stands Warwickshire in good stead for the rest of the season.

"Gilo is a top bloke," Anyon said. "He commands respect in the changing rooms. A lot of people listen to the things he says.

"He is a good organiser and practices have been really enjoyable."

Those practices have also had more of an effect on the Warwickshire squad as they have returned to basics and tried not to overcomplicate things.

"I think we got a bit too wrapped up in technique and went a bit overboard in the last few years," Anyon confirmed.

"We have taken it back to basics, doing that right and repeating those and now we are getting the rewards out of it."

The whole squad has also been honing their skills, with the advent of Twenty20 meaning more variation is needed in order to make the most of resources.

"We've done a lot more with our skills, batting and bowling," Anyon said.

"The batters have been working together on sweeps and playing all around the wicket, while the bowlers have been working on getting reverse swing and yorkers."

The changes have been made since Warwickshire were relegated to Division Two of the Championship at the end of last season.

"It's not where we want to be at Warwickshire," Anyon admitted. "We want to be in the top divisions.

"It's a new start now with new coaches having come in. We've got a lot of young players and we want to build the team around them.

"We all know the opportunities are there, so if we take them, hopefully we will be successful this season."

Although team success is important to Anyon, his own personal success is also high on his agenda, if he can force his way into the team on a regular basis.

"I just want to play and improve on what I have been doing," he said.

"I was disappointed with my season last year. I want to get back into championship cricket.

"Fifty wickets is what you always aim for and that is what I want to achieve, and the same again in the one-day game. I've not got anywhere near it.

"I want to play, and play to win."