The secret behind Keith Barker's terrific 2022? It all starts at home

Forget pressure from coaches, the expectation of fans or the drama of a County Championship title race, perhaps the biggest inspiration for Keith Barker's brilliant form in 2022 comes in the shape of a hyperactive three-year-old.

Barker has been busy reinforcing the notion that age is but a number during the first half of the red-ball season, claiming 31 wickets - more than anyone else in Division One - and playing an integral role in Hampshire's efforts to claim a first Championship crown for nearly 50 years.

At 35 years old, he has outgunned the much vaunted axis of Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott, and contributed regularly with the bat - 294 runs from 11 innings representing a fine return from No.8.

His county's player of the month for both April and May, the star of a handful of viral videos with his savage left-arm swing and seam, and architect of several match-defining spells, Barker has been a driving force behind Hampshire's pursuit of Surrey atop the league standings with seven of 14 matches played.

And that succession of standout displays has even kept his biggest critic - son Kayen - quiet at home.

"He's worth about five kids. He does like coming to watch cricket and it's a thing now that, if I've been out to play, he wants to see what I've done at the end of the day," Barker tells The Cricketer.

^{Keith Barker has been in formidable form for Hampshire [Getty Images]}

"I have to show him. So I have to make sure I don't fail otherwise I look like a crap dad. That is the biggest pressure."

There is of course a little more than a toddler's whimsy behind Barker's impact in 2022.

While he follows a recent trend of veteran players maturing majestically on the domestic circuit - Darren Stevens, Tim Murtagh, Chris Wright and so on - the success does not just get paid out like a state pension. 

Barker has had to learn how to manage his body, and expectations of himself too. 

"When you're younger you are trying everything to accomplish every single goal there is," he says. "In the winters I train quite hard but I have an understanding of what I need to do, when I need to do it, and when I need to have a day's rest. 

"I try to keep myself doing stuff away from cricket: I'll coach, which is a nice change - to not think about me, and try to improve others. I've got a young family, so I'm spending time at home with them and trying my best to be a good dad."

"It is probably easiest for me to be playing constantly. Yes it hurts, but your body gets used to it"

Barker has a 10-month-old daughter, Jorjie, and a new puppy to look after at home as well. He has also earned his ECB coaching qualifications up to level three, and begun planning for life post-playing by working with Southampton University and Winchester College - plenty of distraction from the county grind. 

When at work, he has benefited from the arrival of bowling coach Graeme Welch - whom he knew well from his time at Warwickshire. 

Welch's reputation in the game is strong. He is known for his innovation and capacity to improve players. It was considered quite a coup when Hampshire lured him from Edgbaston last winter, and by all accounts he has not disappointed.

"He gives lads confidence and helps them with their skill, allowing them to be a success at what they do," Barker says. "It's not just bowling, either. As a coach he is very good at getting people to operate and making them better players.

"Old teammates of mine would love to work with Pop again. 

^{Barker has propelled Hampshire to within three points of league leaders Surrey [Getty Images]}

"From what I hear, quite a few Warwickshire bowlers were upset when they heard he was leaving, which shows how good a coach he is."

The result of the pair's reunion at the Ageas Bowl has been prolific. Barker has ripped through opponents, maximising the movement offered by the Dukes ball. Kent were torn apart by a first-innings 6 for 53 in late April, while Barker produced perhaps his best stint of the season at Taunton in May - 6 for 27 skittling Somerset for 69 in their second innings and blowing a relatively tight contest to smithereens. 

The challenge now - for Hampshire and Barker - is to maintain that momentum as the Championship fixture list enters its fragmented stage, with white-ball competitions dominating the headlines.

Hampshire face Essex at Chelmsford from Sunday, then Barker and other red-ball only members of the squad have 10 days without competitive action before a flurry of three matches in two and a half weeks. After that, there's a five-week wait for The Hundred to complete before the four-day campaign can finally reach its denouement. 

KEITH BARKER IN 2022

County Championship matches: 7

Wickets: 31

Average: 18.8

Runs: 294

Average: 29.4

For bowlers like Barker, who thrive on rhythm and continuity, it is hardly ideal.

"It is probably easiest for me to be playing constantly. Yes it hurts, but your body gets used to it," he says.

"I'm trying to keep my overs up, to keep in that good space with my bowling. I don't like having too long off because it takes a while for my body to get into it."

To compensate, he is playing club cricket in the Birmingham League for Moseley when not in action with Hampshire, in an effort "to make sure it's not a big shock to my body, going from a week off to bowling 30 or 40 overs".

"Some players aren't happy to see me rock up," he says. "Changing room walls are thin and I heard someone say 'if I was a pro cricketer and I had a day off, I wouldn't play club cricket'. That's not the reason why, I have to keep my overs up and keep form."

^{Barker has contributed runs with the bat as well as wickets with the ball [Getty Images]}

Hampshire will hope that it is enough. 

Surrey have a three-point lead at the top of the table at the midpoint of the campaign, but Hampshire have won more matches. 

"I don't think as a squad we've felt that expectation," Barker says. "We're confident in our games and we want to win our trophy, but it hasn't been playing on our minds. We're all trying to chip in and see where it takes us.

"They [Surrey] have got a bit of an allstars team, they are the Real Madrid or PSG of cricket. They get anyone they want it seems. They've got a great squad, they're packed with internationals which makes it more difficult for other teams but we can only focus on us. We know they're a good team and going well but if we lose focus on what we're doing it might not turn out the best."

There is at least one three-year-old out there who'll be doing his darndest to make sure Barker and Hampshire don't stray from the task at hand. Though dad does have a cheat code at the ready, in the event of a rare off day.

"If I don't do well, I'll just show him a repeat of another game," he says.