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TKC: “We want to prove that we can do it again.”
Tom Kohler-Cadmore is hoping that his experience in global white-ball competitions will help Somerset to more silverware in 2024.
Tom, who played a crucial role in Somerset’s Vitality Blast triumph last summer, has featured in franchise cricket in Australia, Dubai, Pakistan and India over the last few months and is keen to put into practice what he has learned this winter.
“Every tournament is just so different, and it was a great experience,” he explained. “It gave me the opportunity to learn and improve. You obviously go over there to play, but it’s really a chance to learn and become a better player, and I think that’s something that I’ve definitely done. Hopefully, I will reap the rewards of these experiences down the line, and it will help to push my career forward.
“You’re mixing with the best players in the world and experiencing different conditions and thought processes. You’re immersed in different cultures and you’re away from home so you’re learning more about yourself as well.
“Kumar Sangakkara was one of my coaches this winter. How often do you get the chance to badger someone like him constantly about batting? There are so many guys that you can learn from during these competitions. Going into new environments in different countries on different surfaces takes you out of your comfort zone, so you have to adapt if you want to be successful. That can only be a good thing in the long run.”
How does it feel to be back at the Cooper Associates County Ground?
“It’s really nice to be back. I was away for a long time, but I loved every minute of it, so it didn’t seem as long as it actually was. It feels great to be back. Seeing the boys again gives you so much energy. I feel refreshed and seeing everyone gives you a real lift.”
Last year’s Vitality Blast win was an incredible moment for all Somerset Members and supporters, and Tom is keen to build on that.
“All the best teams in the world in any sport win trophies on a regular basis,” he said. “We want to make sure that last year wasn’t just a one off. We reach Finals Day regularly, but we want to be winning trophies every year and creating an era of success. We’ve certainly got the squad and the hunger within the group to keep pushing. We want to prove that we can do it again. No one has ever gone back-to-back in the Blast, so that would be something very special to be able to do. We need to build on last year and use the confidence that has built up from that to make us even more successful. We know there’s a long way to go and hopefully we can peak at the right time.”
Tom is also keen to taste success in the longer format of the game.
“I enjoy playing red-ball cricket and I’m going to play it as much as I can,” he explained. “I watched so much County Championship cricket when I was in India, and it was great to see the boys playing so well. They started well and although it didn’t work out for us in the last game, Surrey lost as well so that worked out quite nicely because it means that it’s quite tight at the top and no one is running away with it yet. It’s nice and close, so if we can continue to play well and get a couple more wins, then who knows?
“I think we need to continue to be aggressive if we want to win matches, and that’s how you win titles. Cricket is about winning games and you know that the Surrey’s and Essex’s of this world will be doing that. We’ve got to be going out there and winning every match and making sure that we are in with a shout come September. We can certainly be in that position because I believe that we’ve got a squad that could go all the way.”
Does Tom feel that he is sometimes pigeonholed as a white-ball player?
“Whatever people say is up to them. It might change if I start scoring big runs in red-ball cricket, but for me it’s just about doing what I can to help Somerset win games of cricket. I just want to have a good season so that Somerset win trophies. I don’t really care about averages, I’m more concerned with game contributions and helping Somerset to win regardless of the format.”
