Behind the scenes with Team England
The Wisden Wednesday interview with Nigel Stockhill and Kirk Russell
31-Mar-2004
Nigel Stockill and Kirk Russell are two important cogs behind the scenes in the England team. Here Stockhill, the fitness coach, and Russell, the physio, talk about their roles and repsonsibilities:
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Nigel Stockill
What exactly is your role?
I'm basically the fitness adviser. On the physical side I take care of the warm-ups before training, and then the recovery work. With the biomechanics it's more technical. I look at ways of preventing injuries in the way the players run, bowl, throw, bat. I try to help maximise their performance - how to hit the ball harder, and how to bowl quicker.
I'm basically the fitness adviser. On the physical side I take care of the warm-ups before training, and then the recovery work. With the biomechanics it's more technical. I look at ways of preventing injuries in the way the players run, bowl, throw, bat. I try to help maximise their performance - how to hit the ball harder, and how to bowl quicker.
What was your background before you got the England job?
I was at the Lilleshall training centre for five years, I spent some time with the Under-19s. I went on a few A tours and then joined the full team in 2000.
I was at the Lilleshall training centre for five years, I spent some time with the Under-19s. I went on a few A tours and then joined the full team in 2000.
Do you sort out diet programmes as well?
Yes, and they depend on individual needs and weight management - some need to watch their size, while others need to build up strength. They all follow the programmes strictly. They're all adults so we don't bark orders at them the whole time. We're on tour with them 24/7, but you can't monitor them all the time. You advise them, and they will see the improvement for themselves.
Yes, and they depend on individual needs and weight management - some need to watch their size, while others need to build up strength. They all follow the programmes strictly. They're all adults so we don't bark orders at them the whole time. We're on tour with them 24/7, but you can't monitor them all the time. You advise them, and they will see the improvement for themselves.
Which players are best and worst at keeping to the fitness schedule?
It's difficult to categorise. Some are good at some things, and some bad at others. It's my job to identify a player's weak link and encourage them along the way.
It's difficult to categorise. Some are good at some things, and some bad at others. It's my job to identify a player's weak link and encourage them along the way.
You said you use techniques to prevent injuries - that must be tricky with so many injury-prone England bowlers?
It is tough. The international programme is so hectic at the moment - after Sri Lanka was the first time we had a two-month break for four or five years. We treat all the players, but the bowlers are the major concern. If you look around in world cricket at the moment, it's mostly bowlers who are injured - and it's no coincidence. They all have a massive workload. If you look back at the last Ashes tour, the Aussie bowlers broke down towards the end of their summer, while we started in a similar way, after we had had a hard summer of our own.
It is tough. The international programme is so hectic at the moment - after Sri Lanka was the first time we had a two-month break for four or five years. We treat all the players, but the bowlers are the major concern. If you look around in world cricket at the moment, it's mostly bowlers who are injured - and it's no coincidence. They all have a massive workload. If you look back at the last Ashes tour, the Aussie bowlers broke down towards the end of their summer, while we started in a similar way, after we had had a hard summer of our own.
So you think too much cricket is being played?
Certainly, and the calendar isn't scientifically thought through either. It made no sense to play a crammed summer, then have an Ashes tour and a ICC tournament followed by the World Cup. That sort of workload is not going to make us the best in the world.
Certainly, and the calendar isn't scientifically thought through either. It made no sense to play a crammed summer, then have an Ashes tour and a ICC tournament followed by the World Cup. That sort of workload is not going to make us the best in the world.
Do you think we're in danger of burning out too many international bowlers?
For sure. There's a real danger, both psychologically and physically. Players are away from their families for so long. The board do all they can to help that side of things, but all the tours are so long. And physically, I need more time to prepare with them to do consolidation work rather than preparatory work.
For sure. There's a real danger, both psychologically and physically. Players are away from their families for so long. The board do all they can to help that side of things, but all the tours are so long. And physically, I need more time to prepare with them to do consolidation work rather than preparatory work.
There were reports that Stephen Harmison didn't have the best of attitudes during the Bangladesh tour - was there any truth in those rumours?
Steve had a back injury which scans showed he wasn't fit enough to play. As far as I'm concerned, him returning home had nothing to do with his attitude.
Steve had a back injury which scans showed he wasn't fit enough to play. As far as I'm concerned, him returning home had nothing to do with his attitude.
Do you have a good relationship with the players?
Absolutely. We're with them 24/7 and we join in the fun. But of course that doesn't involve any beers - we're professionals! We only watch movies and read books.
Absolutely. We're with them 24/7 and we join in the fun. But of course that doesn't involve any beers - we're professionals! We only watch movies and read books.
What do you do with the non-playing members of the touring squad?
They work hard in the morning with the others in the warm-up, and then have a lunchtime session in the gym. I make sure it's not an easy option - I enjoy beasting them.
They work hard in the morning with the others in the warm-up, and then have a lunchtime session in the gym. I make sure it's not an easy option - I enjoy beasting them.
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Kirk Russell
What exactly does you role involve?
I'm in charge of the medical side of things, to make sure the guys stay fit and healthy, and stay on the field. I also deal with illnesses, drugs etc, but we had a team doctor with us in Bangladesh which was great - it meant I could concentrate on other things.
I'm in charge of the medical side of things, to make sure the guys stay fit and healthy, and stay on the field. I also deal with illnesses, drugs etc, but we had a team doctor with us in Bangladesh which was great - it meant I could concentrate on other things.
What was your training before the England job?
I qualified in 1989 in New Zealand, where I grew up. I then spent a year in Canada, then joined Northants in 1994 and had eight years there. I moved to the Under-19s and the academy in Australia. The last Ashes was my first full tour.
I qualified in 1989 in New Zealand, where I grew up. I then spent a year in Canada, then joined Northants in 1994 and had eight years there. I moved to the Under-19s and the academy in Australia. The last Ashes was my first full tour.
What sorts of equipment do you take with you?
Loads. We take a portable treatment table and a portable ice bath. And then there's all the tape, braces, rubs, sunblocks etc. I bring two big coffins full of gear.
Loads. We take a portable treatment table and a portable ice bath. And then there's all the tape, braces, rubs, sunblocks etc. I bring two big coffins full of gear.
So do you give the players massages and run them baths?
The ice bath was recommended by the England rugby team. It cools the guys down and recovers them after a hot day in the field. We had a masseur with us on the last tour and for the summer Tests. A few local guys helped out too. I do some massaging as well, but it would be great to have a team doctor and masseur permanently - both Christmases would have come at once!
The ice bath was recommended by the England rugby team. It cools the guys down and recovers them after a hot day in the field. We had a masseur with us on the last tour and for the summer Tests. A few local guys helped out too. I do some massaging as well, but it would be great to have a team doctor and masseur permanently - both Christmases would have come at once!
What's the worst injury you've had to deal with?
Simon Jones's fall in Australia. I was the first there, along with a knee surgeon and a doctor. I didn't really get my hands on him, though. He was straight off to hospital and within an hour we knew what was wrong. It was the most traumatic injury I've had to deal with.
Simon Jones's fall in Australia. I was the first there, along with a knee surgeon and a doctor. I didn't really get my hands on him, though. He was straight off to hospital and within an hour we knew what was wrong. It was the most traumatic injury I've had to deal with.
So the bowlers come to you with all their aches and pains?
Not just the bowlers. It depends what sort of day we've had on the field. I tell them all that they musn't ignore anything, even if they think it's just a little niggle.
Not just the bowlers. It depends what sort of day we've had on the field. I tell them all that they musn't ignore anything, even if they think it's just a little niggle.
Who do you usually end up treating the most?
We've got no-one to name the table after. Most of them are on quite often, which is what I want. I want to steer away from the old theory that you have to be injured to be on the table.
We've got no-one to name the table after. Most of them are on quite often, which is what I want. I want to steer away from the old theory that you have to be injured to be on the table.
Are you expecting a lot of work in the West Indies?
It's always tough on tour. They're long, long days, especially early on when the guys are getting used to playing day-in day-out again.
It's always tough on tour. They're long, long days, especially early on when the guys are getting used to playing day-in day-out again.
What happened with Stephen Harmison in the first Test in Bangladesh?
He didn't have sufficient time to recover his back between the two Tests, and there weren't any facilities out there to treat him - it would have been a big risk to let him continue.
He didn't have sufficient time to recover his back between the two Tests, and there weren't any facilities out there to treat him - it would have been a big risk to let him continue.
The standard of treatment facilities must vary in quality depending on where you are in the world?
Certainly. When Marcus Trescothick broke his finger in Bangladesh, we went to have an x-ray and the machine was archaic. England and Australia have the best facilities, but Australia is better in terms of accessibility - you don't have to deal with the horrendous traffic like over here.
Certainly. When Marcus Trescothick broke his finger in Bangladesh, we went to have an x-ray and the machine was archaic. England and Australia have the best facilities, but Australia is better in terms of accessibility - you don't have to deal with the horrendous traffic like over here.
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Do you enjoy the team camaraderie on tour?
Yeah, we're all part of a team - the management and the players. We're very much together. It's important to join in and form personable relationships with everyone. I get along with all the players.
Yeah, we're all part of a team - the management and the players. We're very much together. It's important to join in and form personable relationships with everyone. I get along with all the players.
Do you play?
I played club cricket years ago, and I occasionally help out in the nets. My bowling's not great - I don't pretend to be a good player, but I help out if I'm asked.
I played club cricket years ago, and I occasionally help out in the nets. My bowling's not great - I don't pretend to be a good player, but I help out if I'm asked.