Radford drafts blueprint

Toby Radford will use the winter to help orchestrate Middlesex's trophy challenge

Toby Radford is relishing the opportunity to shape Middlesex’s future after being appointed first-team coach.

The 35-year-old takes charge of the side on a permanent basis after impressing during his role as caretaker coach this season.

Having the winter to prepare for next year’s campaign contrasts sharply with the circumstances in which Radford assumed control this summer.

He stepped up from his role as Academy director midway through the season following Richard Pybus’ surprise departure, but led Middlesex to promotion from NatWest Pro40 Division Two as well as a third-place finish in the Second Division of the LV County Championship.

“In some senses you can come in halfway through the season after a coach has just left and you’re quite relaxed because people don’t expect you to do that well,” Radford told ecb.co.uk.

“But I also saw it as a great opportunity to show what I could do, and we performed quite well towards the end of the season.

“The nice thing now is I’ve got the winter to plan and prepare, and we can make a real concerted effort to win something next year.”

Radford formed a successful partnership this year with Ed Smith, who has been re-appointed captain for 2008. John Emburey will continue to oversee all cricket at the club in his role as director of cricket.

Radford will work alongside Ed Smith, who will captain the side once more next season

“I will sit down with Ed and John and talk about how we’re going to go about doing well in all the competitions next season,” added Radford.

“It allows you to do some technical work as well with the players, and sit down with them and talk about their goals and their roles. It's crucial that everybody knows where we are going.

“Me and Ed worked well together last year and the good thing is our relationship is going to get better the longer we work together. That is a huge part in how we go forward as club.”

Radford, who was responsible for the Middlesex Academy since 2002, may not boast as high a profile as his predecessors - Pybus coached Pakistan while former coach Emburey was one of England’s most successful spinners - but he insists he is content to take a back seat.

“The captain tends to look after everything on the field; as soon as the players cross the white line he’s in complete charge,” said Radford, who played just 14 first-class matches - including seven for Middlesex - during a brief playing career in the mid-1990s.

“It’s the coach’s job to focus on the planning and preparation before the game - things like how to approach the game on a certain type of pitch, and looking at the opposition.

“The other thing is making sure we keep a good healthy environment in the squad.

“We had a really good spirit in the camp towards the end of last season, and it’s very important that we get that again.”