Saqib Mahmood, the talented fast bowler from England, has recently opened up about his decision to journey to the West Indies ahead of his teammates. This early venture was particularly aimed at honing his skills in a focused training environment with Chris Jordan in Barbados. While Mahmood embraced this opportunity for development, Jordan himself has not been included in the squad for the West Indies tour. England’s interim coach, Marcus Trescothick, appears to be prioritizing future potential over current experience, which indicates a shift in the selection strategy as the team redefines itself.
Chris Jordan, at the age of 36, has a storied history with the England cricket team, boasting the highest number of T20 wickets for the nation—surpassed only by renowned spinner Adil Rashid. Despite his experience and contributions, both Jordan and the coaching staff seemingly feel it might be prudent for him to step aside, allowing a younger talent like Mahmood to rise. Mahmood’s journey has not been without its challenges; he missed significant chunks of the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to stress fractures. However, he maintains a ‘development’ contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and is determined to showcase his abilities against the West Indies.
In a strategic move to ensure he was physically and mentally prepared for the One Day International (ODI) and T20 series, Mahmood sought out Jordan for individualized training. Understanding his tendency to be a slow starter during tours, he emphasized the importance of acclimatization. Mahmood elaborated, “I made the decision to come out early and I phoned CJ,” referring to Jordan, indicating that this initiative was both intentional and strategic. Rather than simply participating in casual practice sessions, Mahmood wanted to engage in rigorous, detail-oriented training focused on the specific nuances of the game—including the intricacies of release points and batting techniques.
Throughout this collaborative training, numerous insights exchanged between the two fast bowlers facilitated Mahmood’s preparation, enhancing his readiness for the upcoming series. “It was like a player-coach relationship,” Mahmood explained. This dynamic exemplified the mutual respect and camaraderie within the team, highlighting Jordan’s willingness to mentor Mahmood despite not being in the competitive fold himself.
The results of Mahmood’s determination and hard work were evident in the subsequent matches against the West Indies. Although his performance in the ODI series saw him take the field just once, where he recorded figures of 0-56 over eight overs, his impact in the T20 matches was significantly more substantial. Mahmood shone brightly, claiming six wickets across the two games, a feat that propelled England to a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 series.
Furthermore, Mahmood did not shy away from expressing his gratitude towards Jordan for the mentorship he provided, especially when Mahmood first joined the England team. Conversations between the two reveal the supportive nature of their relationship: “CJ was so good with me,” Mahmood remarked. He acknowledged the tendency of some players to feel threatened by newcomers, yet emphasized that Jordan exemplified the opposite approach, embodying a willingness to guide and nurture younger talent.
In recognition of Jordan’s potential as a future coach, Mahmood shared his aspirations for Jordan’s career trajectory beyond playing, saying, “If he does go into coaching afterwards, he’s going to be an amazing coach.” Mahmood firmly believes that Jordan possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience that could significantly benefit the next generation of cricketers.
As live coverage of the West Indies v England T20 series unfolds, viewers in the UK can catch every moment on platforms like TNT Sports and discovery+. The collaboration between these players, along with the emphasis on developing a supportive team environment, highlights not just their individual journeys but also the collective future of English cricket.
