ALEX Barrow has just started his second year as Boys Academy lead coach at Somerset County Cricket Club, a role he is thoroughly enjoying.

“Becoming Boys Academy lead was an aspirational thing for me as soon as I started coaching and having been through my own journey I feel that I can help these young cricketers,” Baz, as he is known, said.

“I came up through the Academy, signed a professional contract, played for Somerset, and was then released, after which I had time to do a lot of reflection.

“At those times you start to work out what it is you want to do and at that point there wasn’t too much of me that wanted to work as a coach, because it hurt and so it took a bit of time.

“However Steve Snell, who was then Academy director, brought me back in and I did some consultancy coaching with some of the batters who were learning my trade. Then Matt Drakeley kept me on and as the Academy evolved I got more contact time.

“I then worked at Kings where I was coaching cricket, rugby and hockey which I really loved and I learned to work with students from four or five years old through to young adults. When I was there I learned what coaching was all about.”

Baz, who hails from Frome where he played his early cricket, went on: “I then got an opportunity to oversee the Exeter University programme where I had a lot of great experiences and got to understand what leading a programme was all about and what was involved. I coached the women’s team which was new to me, and a big challenge but one I loved.

“Throughout that time I have always been connected with the Somerset Under 18s assisting Matt Drakeley and there was always that underlying thought that something might or might not come up here.

“I have had some first and second team experiences through that time and I have always had a connection with Somerset and then when I knew when this job was going to come up I wanted to be in the best place possible to make sure that I was top of that list!

“In a round about way the time felt right, I needed the break to step away and learn my trade away from Somerset before coming back.

“The offer then came about which was amazing and when Drakers gave me a call and said they were going to offer me the job I felt incredibly proud.”

Baz went on to explain what makes the job so special to him. “The really exciting thing for me is that you get to see the young players fulfil their ambitions. We are investing in these young people’s development and as much as we’d love them all to go on and play for Somerset we know that can’t be the case because they are looking to play for one of the best teams in the country, which is not an easy thing to do."

Baz added: “Deep down I love Somerset and that’s the reason why I care about the experience the Academy boys get and about what I do. I care about the club as a whole - it means something to me.”