Whelan happy with his New Road move

10:15am Thursday 17th April 2008

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AT the tender age of 21, Worcestershire's new seamer Chris Whelan believes that his winter move to New Road could be career defining.

The likeable Scouser made the switch from Middlesex signing a one-year deal with the reigning NatWest Pro40 champions and he has had no problems settling in at Worcester.

In fact, he feels right at home.

"For me personally it's been the best move that I ever made, the lads have made me feel really welcome and the atmosphere around the place has been fantastic from the first day," he beamed.

That's quite a statement for someone who has barely cut his teeth in the first-class game.

The former 2005 Merseyside Young Sports Personality spent four years at Lord's and, while he had the chance to stay, he says that the time was probably right to leave the capital.

"I probably upset a few people in the coaching areas at Middlesex, so it was not a bad thing to get away," he said.

"I think there were times in the year they didn't pick me for various reasons. If you looked at the statistics, I felt that I deserved to play a little bit more.

"There were a few personal agendas within the club, it's a very political club.

"In the end it was probably difficult to stay there and play.

"Coming here was the best thing I did."

But why is Worcestershire such a great place to be? It's not because they are currently winning trophies year after year - last season's Pro40 title was their first major honour in 13 years.

It's because of how players are made to feel when they walk through the gates at New Road.

"It's a really close atmosphere - almost like family, there is a real positive energy around the place," Whelan explained.

"It's a small club but everyone is thinking the same thing and everyone wants to play the same way.

"As a team, from previous places I have been, I feel a lot closer to everyone here.

"It's a team environment - it's nice to see the guys away from cricket rather than just turning up, playing and going home."

The Liverpudlian spent the winter playing cricket in Sydney for Fairfield-Liverpool Lions, Doug Bollinger's home club, and now that he is back at Worcestershire, Whelan is hoping that he can learn from another of director of cricket Steve Rhodes' winter signings, Simon Jones.

The New Road chief brought in three new seamers, Gareth Andrew being the other, during the close season and Whelan feels that they have all settled in well.

"Everyone is new but because the atmosphere is so good, people have fitted in nicely - it hasn't been difficult to change," he said.

"I would really like to win a first team place on a regular basis and establish a role within the side.

"I have been quite pleased with the start that I have made but I have got to be realistic - there are a few guys ahead of me.

"Jonesy has been really good too. Just to talk to him and watch him in the nets, you can see why he has been so successful.

"Around the dressing room he is just a normal bloke, but you can tell that he is desperate to get back his England place."