January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Hemp: No one likes to be in a losing dressing room
Hemp: No one likes to be in a losing dressing room
The left-handed middle order batsman has suffered a tough first season as skipper of Glamorgan in the English County Leagues with his injury-hit squad mustering just two wins in all competitions.
His fortunes have mirrored those of Bermuda who travel to Kenya next month on the back of an 11-game losing streak, stretching back to before the World Cup.
But Hemp, 36, is hopeful that things can turn around when they face Kenya and the UAE.
"I'm really looking forward to it. There's no reason why we can't do well.
"Kenya are a good side, let's make no bones about it, they are probably the best associate side out there. All we can do is get the basics right and put ourselves in a position to compete.
"They are going to be looking at us and thinking it's an easy win, we've got to say 'we've got nothing to lose' and go out and play some good cricket and give ourselves a chance.
"No-one likes to be in a losing dressing room. It's going to be an important tour and we need to get some wins and build confidence.
"Every game I play, I play to win. There are no friendlies, whether it's against India in the World Cup or Warwickshire at Edgbaston."
Hemp followed Bermuda's results in Denmark, Holland and Ireland - a tour which he missed through his club commitments at Glamorgan.
But he believes it was always going to be tough for Bermuda to rebuild in the absence of players like Clay Smith, Dean Minors and Janeiro Tucker.
"There were key players missing. It's a rebuilding process and that's what's going to happen.
"Different players take time to fit into the system and there's added pressure on the few experienced players that are left because you have to perform every time."
With Hemp back in the fold, Janeiro and Kwame Tucker training again and free scoring St. David's opener Chris Foggo included in the training squad, there looks to be stronger options with the bat on the forthcoming tour.
And Hemp, for one, is up for the challenge.
"It's difficult when many of the international sides we are up against have more first class players than us but I think we've got to see it as a challenge.
"For me, I'd rather be challenged - that way you find out more about yourself and others and from that you can learn.
"It's a hard pill to swallow when you are losing all the time but you do learn from it and improve."
As skipper of Glamorgan, Hemp, knows all about the value of learning from defeat.
Robbed of the services of some of their best players, including England's erstwhile Ashes hero Simon Jones, the Welsh county side have been forced to field a patched up squad, packed with youngsters, throughout the season. They finished rock bottom in all four competitions.
But Hemp refuses to be disillusioned by defeat and believes they will come back stronger next year.
"It's been a very tough season and from a results point of view it's been very disappointing.
"We had our goals and targets and we've been a long way short of reaching them. Injuries to key personnel meant that half the team was under 22 so we were always going to struggle. "I was actually pleased that we managed to compete in a lot of the games and the young boys that have come in will be better for the experience."
Hemp has been disappointed with his own form this season and is keen to turn it round for Bermuda.
"There are no big scores to talk about, which is particularly disappointing because I feel I'm moving my feet well and hitting the ball well. The scores just aren't coming.
"Hopefully there will be some hundreds to talk about with Bermuda."[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.