Toby-Roland Jones focused on the here and now for Middlesex

In easing himself into the season at Lords vs Derbyshire with three wickets, there was a sense that this was a slightly rusty Toby Roland Jones, shaking off a few cobwebs. Perhaps a little pep and pace were missing, possibly permanently, although there would be ample reserves of canniness and experience to still be a force in the County Championship. However, anyone harbouring negative thoughts has very quickly been proved wrong. 

Paired with Shaheen Afridi, opening the attack for Middlesex at Glamorgan, the headlines were for the new boy (3/35 and 1/34) and his continuing domination of Marnus Labuschagne, but for Middlesex and England fans, the sight of a fit, firing rejuvenated ‘Rojo’ was equally welcome. His performance at Sofia Gardens was full throttle, vintage Roland Jones, with both bat and ball. The man with the long name and even longer run-up not only grabbed 8 Glamorgan wickets, including 5 for 40, but also powered 65 with the bat to help see Middlesex to an innings victory. 

To say that ‘Rojo’ has had a tough time would be an understatement. Time out the game with two long term career-threatening injuries was challenge enough. But the first of those came as he was establishing himself as a highly effective Test seamer for England. Middlesex fans would argue that his was an opportunity that could and should have come earlier. 17 wickets in four Tests at just 19 each, showed that Toby was ready to seize the opportunity with both hands. His start at The Oval was explosive, ripping out South Africa’s top four in his first 33 deliveries as Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Hashim Amla, and Quinton de Kock fell in rapid order before Temba Bavuma secured a debut 5/57. 

Later that summer, he was taking wickets economically at his home ground, Lords vs West Indies too. An Ashes tour was nailed on for him until a lower back stress fracture brought his Test career grinding to a halt, and an attempted comeback failed and ruled out a whole year.

Now, however, is a great time to be catching up with Toby as those frustrations are hopefully in the past. Indeed, they provided him with strong motivation, as he was quick to admit when we met. “It was a challenging time, and you really find out what you miss”, he said. But the motivation to get back to his best never deserted him, even through the darkest days. Roland Jones was quick to acknowledge the support of not just his club but also the ECB, who “were phenomenal and remained in constant contact”. 

With 25 wickets last year at just 18 and already a few on the board this year, Toby certainly feels that changes at the club have helped, particularly the return of Richard Johnson, Middlesex’s former bowling coach and now back as Head Coach. “Every winter is a period to review and look for improvement, and it’s been great to work with someone who really knows me and my game,” said Toby as he explained adjustments made to maintain pace, but reduce the impact on his body. “Bowling upright and generating the force and power from the right place have reduced stress,” he said. With quicker bowlers the world over often so prone to stress injuries, these adjustments are vital given heavy workloads. Consider not just Toby but also the likes of Ollie Stone, Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, and so many others, all of whom need careful management to overcome the ravages of wear and tear. 

As the ECB look to encourage run making and arrest the worrying decline in England’s Test batting, wickets this year are likely to be a little more challenging for Toby and his bowling brethren, so is this a concern to the 34-year-old? “It’s hard to be sure at this stage, but you have to balance all aspects of the game,” said Toby, stressing “challenge and reward on flat surfaces” as constant companions. Contributing with both ball and bat is important at all levels of the game, and in this department, Roland Jones has been a star performer for Middlesex at number 8, so often a position that requires either quick acceleration or stout defence, and Toby has proven adept at both. Although, with a natural inclination to the former, as he ready concedes with a smile. 

Important for Middlesex this year is their blend of youth and experience and Toby feels that the depth and quality of a bowling unit that includes Afridi, Helm, Murtagh, Bamber, Blake Cullen, Martin Andersson and himself “should certainly worry opponents”. As a senior player now, as he has been for a while, he is adamant that “it’s the role of the senior players to aid the development of younger teammates, but crucially to set challenging standards”. 

A lean, fully fit Roland Jones could be in line for a great season, though when asked about his Middlesex career highlight, he laughed and said, “I can never come up with anything that can beat ‘that’ hattrick to win the 2016 County Championship”. But the clock has wound forward six years since that Lord’s afternoon, so is reclaiming the England place that would have taken him to an Ashes series in Australia had injury not intervened on his mind? Toby’s answer is considered and highly realistic, saying, “It’s not something I’ve thought about for a while, and I am focused on playing and staying fit now”.  

Perhaps, rather like Sean Connery returning as James Bond, it seems “never say never again” is the answer there for now. But, with new England management and if the wickets keep coming, then you just never know. Middlesex fans will be thrilled were that to happen.