Adam Hollioake returns to Surrey as an opposition coach for the first time this week – but insists he’s too old for emotions.
The Kent head coach takes the Spitfires to The Oval tomorrow in the Vitality Blast.
Hollioake won nine trophies in a seven-year spell as Surrey captain.
The 53-year-old will be in the opposition dressing room this time around but claimed he’ll see it as just another game.
“It’s a game of cricket,” stated Hollioake. “I’ve played probably thousands of games as a player and probably now getting close to thousands of games as a coach. It’s just another game.
“Of course, there’s emotions under there but, by the time you get to 53, you’re pretty used to controlling your emotions and just taking the day as it comes.
“There’s got to be some advantages to getting older. It can’t be all about getting bald and getting fat. So, just control them, it’s another game, just play it as it is and try and execute our basics.”
There will be plenty of memories for Hollioake at The Oval and he’s had plenty of friends asking for tickets.
But it will be about Kent for Hollioake, keen to put the record straight after a batting collapse last Friday at Canterbury cost them in the reverse fixture.
“With or without that game at Canterbury, we want to beat them,” said Hollioake. “I’ve got a good knowledge of their team. We didn’t play well the other night, so we’ll hopefully try and put that right on Thursday.
“It’ll be interesting. I’ve got a gate there and a bar named after me.
“For me, it’s a great place to go. Obviously, I’ve had a long history there and I enjoy it. I get welcomed back there and they look after me very well – that doesn’t mean I don’t want to beat them.
“I think it’s always a sell-out. I’ve got 35 friends asking for 125 tickets. I kept trying to remind everyone it’s sold out!”
