Former England bowler Paul Jarvis talks with Andy Cryer about his past and his new role as coach at Swindon Cricket Club.

MANY believe Paul Jarvis never reached the heights his talents promised but as far as the new Swindon coach is concerned he has no cause for complaints.

From becoming the youngest cricketer to ever represent Yorkshire in the County Championship, to pitting his wits against the game's best for England, his ability was undeniable.

For Jarvis the biggest stumbling block, and one which many believe brought a premature halt to his international career, was his continual struggle against injury.

Despite often being regarded as England's best bowler he was regularly looked over by selectors who considered they could not rely on him not breaking down.

Still, with nine Tests, 16 one-day internationals and over 200 first class appearances under his belt, the right armer looks back on his professional career with a great deal of pride.

The 40-year-old said: "Playing for England would obviously be the highlight in my career but I have so many good memories of the game that it is very hard to choose.

"Okay maybe I could have played a few more times internationally but I don't hold that against anyone. I was thought of as injury-prone and so generally the selectors went with guys who they felt would not fall down.

"I think cricket today is very different. The set-up and structure makes it much easier for cricketers as they are looked after more now. They play less cricket and so there are less injuries."

Even as a teenager Jarvis was hampered by injury, both in 1984 and 85, but recovered to win his county cap for Yorkshire in 1986 following match figures of 11-92 against Middlesex.

The following season he finished with his best-ever tally of 81 wickets and played a key role in the Benson and Hedges winning team, with four for 53 in the final against Northants.

Jarvis, pictured right, then made his Test debut in 1988 against New Zealand at Christchurch, taking six wickets in his first two games.

Appearances against West Indies and Australia followed but he was then dropped again and then banned from Test cricket for three years after accepting an offer to join a rebel tour of South Africa in 1989-90.

After an early lift of the ban, Jarvis was recalled for the tour of India and Sri Lanka in 1992-92 but after bowling well, he was dropped again.

He subsequently played for Sussex and Somerset but injury saw him leave county cricket in 2000 with over 650 wickets to his name.

He said: "I count myself extremely privileged as I have loved playing cricket as a job and now I have been very fortunate in doing so.

"It has given me an opportunity to travel the world free of charge and to play against and with some of the best players in the world.

"I played with Sachin Tendulkar when he was just 19 at Yorkshire and went on to play against him and he is undoubtedly a great.

"Viv Richards was probably the best batsman I have bowled to while David Gower is also up there."

This season has seen him move from Lansdown, near Bath, to Swindon, where he hopes his experience can help them climb up the West of England Glos Wilts Division One.

He said: "I am enjoying the fresh challenge. I take the first team and youngsters once a week to help them where I can.

"A new face in a squad can give new ideas and my role is to give the guys an idea of how they practice their cricket. They all seem very keen to learn."