Robin Smith talks to the Hampshire Web site

Shortly after Hampshire's humiliating innings defeat against Yorkshire at Headingley, I had an opportunity to speak to captain Robin Smith about the team's early seasons form.

Webmaster: "At the start of the season there was much optimism, how do you feel about that in the light of the current situation"?

Robin: "Naturally I am disappointed with our early season, but I have no excuses to hand out. The batsmen have suffered as a team with a lack of confidence, and we will be looking to improve on this with our next match at Leicestershire. The bowlers have been 100% and I cannot single out one over the others, they have bowled sides out and given our batsmen a chance, but so far they have not taken advantage of this".

Webmaster "The Hampshire Web Site have had e-mails recently slagging the team's performances, what do you have to say to them?"

Robin: "Like them I am sad at the way things have happened, but I do ask the doubters to be patient, and judge us not on a few early season losses, but on the season as a whole. There is a long way to go, there are still three competitions to play for, one or two good wins under our belt is all we need to turn our season around".

Webmaster: "Some thoughts have come that a new coach, teaching new techniques could be a cause of the batting crisis".

Robin: "We are certainly not in a crisis, Jimmy Cook has not attempted to change the techniques of the batsmen, he is very popular in the dressing room, a very knowledgable coach, everyone to a man listens to his advice, he talks both in group sessions and individually to the players, and they all speak highly of him".

Webmaster: "So Robin, can you see the season turning around for Hampshire soon".

Robin: "Yes, I certainly can, we have a wonderful team spirit, and I feel that our early season optimism will come to be. As I said earlier we need all our members and supporters to be patient, and I and Jimmy Cook are confident that things will start to happen".