A Cricketing Sensation
From an early age Joe Sayers displayed an incredible talent for cricket, captaining the youth sections of his home county Yorkshire and also captaining and opening the batting for England youth teams. He is approaching the end of his Physics degree and has signed a professional contract with Yorkshire starting immediately after his Finals this summer.
Who have been the greatest influences on your cricketing career so far and who in the world game do you most look up to?
One name that stands out is that of Steve Oldham who is highly valued amongst all the seam bowlers at Yorkshire. Darren Gough has even been known to call him from Australia. He has taught me a great deal and his coaching and advice has really helped my batting.
In terms of the last year of worldcricket, Rahul Dravid of India stands out simply on the basis of his consistently world class performances.
Matthew Hayden also stands out for the way in which he dominates bowlers, while Steve Waugh's mental strength is something any cricketer in the world would want to emulate.
How have you managed to combine academic work with playing cricket at such a high level? Do they impinge upon each other?
Far from it; in fact I would probably go as far as to say that my academic performance would have been lower last year had I not had the cricket to escape away to.
While there were undoubtedly times when I had to juggle the two within the same day, overall I think that the cricket kept the intensity of my work high.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
Captaining England U19s in three home series against India, the West Indies South Africa. Winning the Varsity match at Lord's also stands out and while I have not put myself forward for the Blues' captaincy this year, I am looking forward the attempting to retain the Varsity title.
What are your aims and goals for the future in both the short and long term?
My goal will always be to captain Yorkshire and my country but at the moment I am looking to next year as a transitional period where I adjust to the rigours of professional cricket. My aim in the next couple of years would be to be invited to join the national academy which would hopefully be a stepping stone to the full England squad and a central contract.
13th May 2004