Mark Newton (WCCC Chief Executive) Interview

By Ben Woodall
December 17 2002

We can today bring you an exclusive interview with Worcestershire CCC Chief Executive Mark Newton where we asked for his views on a few WCCC related topics.

Today,WCCC Unofficial can bring you an EXCLUSIVE interview with Worcestershire County Cricket Club Chief Executive Mark Newton.The appointment of Mark has coincided with Worcestershire playing their best cricket in some time so it is an honour to be able to speak to the man himself.I asked him three questions relating to last season,next season and two of the clubs rising stars,namely Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali, who are both currently representing England out in Australia in the VB ODI series.Here is what Mark had to say:

1)Would you view last season as a failure or as a success after failing to gain promotion yet finishing second in the NUL Division 1?

In general last season was a success. Until August we were having an exceptional season until Andy Bichel had to go home. The injury problem with Shane Lee has been well documented and Nottinghamshire made an inspired signing with Stuart Magill for the last few months of the season. They pipped us to promotion in the County Championship and we only lost one game that went its full length in the NUL. That was Glamorgan and of course they pipped us for the title by 2 points

2)What would be a realistic aim for WCCC next season (playing-wise)?

Clearly the priority is promotion in the Championship. Only ourselves and Gloucester have not yet played in Division One so this is a must. We are a very good one day side on paper so the NCL will be important and I hope we will be in contention throughout the season. We are likely to face Yorkshire at home in the 4th round of the C & G Trophy. A win then and a bit of luck with the draw would help. The new Twenty20 competition excites us all so a trip to the Lord's Finals Day would be fantastic.

3)What are your views on Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali's performances out in Australia representing England?

I recently went to Australia on holiday for the Adelaide and Perth Test matches. Whilst in Adelaide I visited the Academy but Kabir and Gareth were training elsewhere. However I did speak to the Academy manager who spoke very positively about both of them. Gareth in particular received great praise. Subsequently Kabir is in the World Cup 30 and Gareth has made his International Debut. Both are thought of very highly and have impressed the pundits but I hope the fact they have been thrown in against Australia won't inhibit their subsequent progress. As the result today against Sri Lanka shows, Australia are an exceptional team and we can compete with everyone else.

Everyone at WCCC Unofficial would like to thank Mark Newton for giving up some of his time to answer our questions.Hopefully we will be able to bring you more interviews involving WCCC staff in the near future.More WCCC related news and interviews can also be found at the official website for the club at www.wccc.co.uk