Devon Cricket Academy Report 2020/2021

 

2021 saw the first full season of the newly formed Devon Cricket Academy, a partnership between the Devon Cricket Board and the Devon County Cricket Club, supported by the David Shepherd Cricket Trust.

 

The first year was sadly put on hold by the Covid-19 pandemic, however with a winter training programme behind the players, all players had a productive season. 

 

During the winter programme in 2020 the players worked on their technical and tactical games along with their physical and mental skills and these skills were put to good use during the 2021 season.  

 

Players were exposed to some high-quality coaching, these included Steve Williams (Level 4), Matt Cooke, Matt Hunt, Alex Barrow, Jack Bradbury (Level 3) and technical, tactical, and mental input from Dom Bess, Ben Green and Tom Lammonby.  It was also great to see Devon CCC director of cricket Dave Tall in attendance at some of the winter sessions to join up the pathway.

 

The players involved had a successful summer in most parts, winning 4 of their 6 matches. The victories came in 2 matches against the University of Exeter, 1 against Cornwall and 1 against Dorset.  Unfortunately, we lost the rematch Vs Cornwall at Sandford CC and a T10 match Vs the University. 

 

I have no doubt that the players benefited from the experiences they gained during the Winter and Summer programmes with a number of the players making appearances and contributions in the full National Counties side. 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the David Shepperd Cricket Trust, The Devon Cricket Board and The Devon County Cricket Club for their support with the programme.

 

I’d also like to thank the coaches who worked on the programme by providing all of their experience and knowledge and also to Sandford Cricket Club and The University of Exeter for the use of their facilities.  Final thanks to Jon Sparkes who scored in all the matches and to DACO for providing the umpires. 

 

It is fantastic to see a number of the current cohort plying their trade in Australia and South Africa, where we wish them well.  Also, those players who are at University, we look forward to seeing you when you are back during the holidays. 

 

This is an exciting time for young players in Devon with multiple opportunities to develop and demonstrate their skills in a pathway that is becoming more and more aligned. 

 

Sandy Allen 

Devon Pathway Manager