Watching Their Every Move – Staff Profile – Michael Najdan

In a positive attempt to boost the Kent players all round performances out in the middle this season the County have recruited one of cricket’s top Analysts, Michael Najdan, and are hoping his up to the minute data will have an immediate impact.

Michael is part of the experienced new look back up team to support Coach, Jimmy Adams in his bid to gain success for the club this season which includes former Kent favourite Matt Walker, as Assistant Coach, new Physiotherapist, Dan George and Strength and Conditioning Coach, Jon Fortescue, who we have already featured on the Website and in Extra Cover.

Michael has one of the most high pressure jobs in the Kent cricket set-up and has to concentrate on every ball bowled, every shot made, every ball fielded, every catch taken and missed, every wicket and every field placing during a days play, all in the blink of an eye.

His position on the players’ balcony, with a camera situated in the pavilion stand, allows him to watch an instant video play-back of everything that is unfolding out on the field of play. He will be able to watch how a bowler runs up, his line and length, where the ball pitches, the type of shot that is played by the batsman, and where the ball eventually finishes up be that as a result of runs, run outs, wickets, catches or just a dot ball.

Michael also monitors Power plays in one day games and is able to provide comprehensive information during and after a days play to the captain and the coach to analyse. The information can also be passed on to each individual player so they can assess their strengths and weaknesses and seek advice on improving their game performances.

“The in depth analysis helps everybody to improve on what they are doing in an effort to reach the peak of their ability and the camera never lies”, said Michael. The information can also be stored on a memory stick to be processed in the future.

Michael uses a computer and software provided by the ECB and his experience means he can evaluate in minute detail a complete picture and panorama of a match with aspects which the human eye might miss.

Michael joined Kent in pre-season from Opta Sportsdata where he was responsible form the analysis of all County cricket and International matches and previously worked for Cricket Australia, ESPN Star Sports, and Notts County Football Club. At ESPN Star Sports he provided new and advanced data insights during the India-England Test series, and has also analysed matches at the 2013 Women's World Cup in India and the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers in New Zealand."

Already in these early stages of the new season Michael’s analytical expertise and his state of the art equipment has already benefitted the players and coaches according to Jimmy Adams. “What he is doing is invaluable to us and will become more and more so as the season progresses”.

Interview by Peter Burrowes