Academy Head Coach, Elliot Wilson, this week emphasised the “importance of the opportunities” that await his playing group ahead of their upcoming camp in India.
Six players from the club’s Academy are preparing to travel to Mumbai, from the 9th–19 February for an intensive development training camp focused on batting against spin.
The clinic will provide players with the opportunity to train in conditions they wouldn’t otherwise have access to, with the 10-day long camp focussed on strengthening the batters trust in their defence against a red-ball, whilst being able to rotate strike in scenarios against a white ball – both skills that are aimed at bridging the gap to 2nd XI Cricket.
Mumbai provides a unique opportunity to face high-quality spin, for long periods, under pressure. The aim is not to survive spin, but to become effective, composed, and game-aware in conditions that test players technique, decision-making, and mindset.
The camp will offer a high volume of time on task, with cricket at the heart of every day. The ambition of the trip is to support the players’ development as cricketers, while also providing a valuable life experience.
Spending time in a completely different environment will allow the Academy staff to focus on the players’ personal growth and help them mature as young men.
The WCCC Academy’s partnership with the Global Cricket Academy is a long-standing one, with the club having previously undertaken four trips: with the most recent visit in 2020 including Academy graduates Henry Cullen and Rehaan Edavalath.
Head Coach, Elliot Wilson, highlighted the importance of the trip in the development of the Academy players, who are unable to access such conditions and facilities here in the UK.
“Opportunities like these don’t come around every day, so for our young players it is a massive chance to test themselves in a totally new environment and work on a specific part of their game.
“Our relationship with the Global Cricket Academy is fantastic and one that we are really delighted to be able to renew for the first time in a few years.
“It will be a steep learning curve for all the batters who are going away but is such a priceless opportunity for them to enhance and expand their repertoire of knowledge on how to play spin in conditions that we simply cannot replicate at home.”
Wilson, on his fifth trip of India with the club, said that the time away also allows the young stars a chance to learn about themselves, in a totally different environment and vastly varied culture.
“This will be my fifth trip in my time at Worcestershire and seeing how the lads grow and push themselves in a pretty polar opposite environment to what they are maybe used to, is always really rewarding.
“Ultimately, we want them to progress and grow as young adults during their time in the Pathway, and this trip is a perfect opportunity for us as coaches and the lads themselves to continue that growth.”
Also joining the Academy prospects on the clinic, will be Senior Vice-Captain, Jake Libby, who is poised to help consult and nurture the young batters on the trip.
“Jake is a consummate professional and is a prime example to our lads of how a professional right at the top level goes about his business with a continued drive to improve
“Having someone with over 10,000 First-Class runs on a trip like this is absolutely invaluable for the lads, who will be able to watch him closely, as well as speak to him and pick his brains in an area where his game has excelled.
“His leadership role within the club and well-respected position makes him the ideal role model for the Pathway players to learn from.”
1st XI spinner Fateh Singh will also be present for the trip, looking to hone his skills ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Selected Academy Players Travelling to Mumbai:
Henry Hawes
Toby Cox
Alfie Higgins
Joe Porter
Seth Essenhigh
Fin Jones
*Jake Libby
*Fateh Singh
*Senior players joining the trip
