Miller looking to build on modern day Munton tag

Bears fast bowler Andy Miller believes that he’s fitter and stronger than ever before as he talks to Edgbaston.com about his training programme and his desire to become a regular member of the side in all three forms of the game.

Andy, (24) who is entering his seventh season at Edgbaston, has previously been likened to the Bears modern day Tim Munton. But after his personal disappointment in the 2011 season, he’s looking to bounce back after undertaking his toughest preseason programme ever since joining the Club.

“A few of the members have mentioned the similarity with Tim in the past, and it’s great to be associated with a Club legend,” said Andy. “We can bowl long spells and wear down batsmen, and he’s given me some great advice during my time at Edgbaston. He told me how much better I did than him on my Championship debut in 2010 and then got me a bottle of champagne when I took my first 5-for against Lancashire – my home county – in the same year.

“But whilst my style of bowling is similar to Tim’s, I now need to make a name for myself here as Andy Miller the Warwickshire fast bowler.

“I was bitterly disappointed about the way I bowled in the Championship last season, and I realised that there were technical and physical faults in my game. That’s way I chose to stay here in Birmingham throughout the winter and work extremely hard on a dedicated bowling programme with Graeme Welch.

“Whilst playing overseas in the winter helps you mature as a person and is a good experience for any young cricketer, I wanted to go back to basics and ensure that my body is in perfect condition for fast bowling.

“We’ve been using bands and medicine balls to strengthen specific areas of the body, and Graeme has had us bowling in between poles hitting specific targets in the nets. I’ve enjoyed it more than ever and it’s taken my confidence to a new level. The tour of Barbados in March just can’t come soon enough.”

After making his debut for the Bears against Bangladesh A in 2008, Andy has played 17 First-Class fixtures for the Club and made his List-A and t20 debuts last season.

“I actually got off to a good start last season in our first match of the Championship against Somerset, and took the key wickets of Trescothick, Compton and Hildreth. I took wickets in my 40 over and t20 games, but I lost my confidence in the Championship and tried too hard to repeat those early season deliveries.”

After breaking into the Championship side in 2010 with consecutive 5-wicket hauls against Lancashire at Edgbaston and Somerset at Taunton, Miller suffered a cruel twist of fate after sustaining a stress fracture of the foot.

“After the career highlights in the preceding weeks, the injury came at a pretty awful time as I was starting to establish myself in the team and I had torn my side muscles in the previous season. But I need to focus on the future rather than looking back.

“I’ve taken the decision to stay here in Birmingham and work harder than ever before with our coaching team and the rest of the squad. I feel I’ve reaped the benefits so far and have certainly learned from the mistakes that I’ve made in the past.

“I know that I’m a better bowler than what I showed last season and I hope to repay the faith that the coaching team have shown in me, as well as the support from members. Warwickshire is a fantastic Club, and I hope that my contribution will help to keep us in the hunt for trophies in 2012 and beyond.”