History of Bucks CCC

model for a young side looking for guidance and inspiration. A change of manager also presented itself with the resignation of Steve Lynch. At a time when relations with High Wycombe were at their most difficult, he had often had to battle against the odds to keep the show on the road, but in six years his dedication to the task never wavered. Coles and Medlycott lead a revival Ahead of the 2004 season Jon Coles was installed as team manager and Keith Medlycott was taken on as player/coach. Coles, who had briefly opened the bowling for the county in the 1980s, was still playing at Gerrards Cross and proved to have an ideal rapport with the players. An excellent unflamboyant administrator and a good communicator, he developed and implemented the ideas first floated by Stuart York to produce a more effective squad system. “He got everyone working together,” says Paul Atkins. Another matter was addressed - ensuring that the players were not out of pocket in playing for the county. A plan was drawn up that offered mutual commitment: there would be compensation for loss of earnings provided the players, having declared their availability, did not subsequently drop out when chosen for matches. It was Atkins’ idea that Keith Medlycott should come to Bucks. The two had become good friends in their time at Surrey and had played together in South Africa. Medlycott had had an unfulfilled playing career as a left-arm spinner. Picked to tour the West Indies in 1989-90 under GrahamGooch, he later suffered the special brand of lost confidence that occasionally afflicts spin bowlers. Commonly called ‘the yips’, in Medlycott’s case it proved terminal for his playing career, but he had developed his coaching skills and enjoyed great success in that role with Surrey. Atkins guessed that, with his Surrey contract now at an end, Medlycott would still fancy a return to the game as a player, and he felt sure that he was a good enough batsman to succeed in minor counties cricket. “I didn’t have to persuade him, he jumped at it,” says Atkins. 111 Coles and Medlycott lead a revival Keith Medlycott receives his cap from Paul Atkins