CHS’s young cricketers had chance to better their batting skills when they were visited by former England Cricket Captain Michael Vaughan.
Giving the students his top tips for ‘batting against spin,’ Michael demonstrated the skills that helped him rank as one of the best batsmen in the world following the 2002/03 Ashes.
40 students took part in the after School session; the first of 3 ‘expert’ masterclasses for CHS students wanting to develop their cricket.
Ranging from Year 7 players looking to join the cricket team, to older more experienced players, the students began the session by practising their bowling with Michael as batsman.
After hearing Michael’s advice on current focus area ‘batting against Spin’ the students were then split into groups for further training of their batting and spin skills.
Michael said: “Taking part in sport at school is so important for developing an awareness of team ethics – having that discipline of working as a unit, experiencing success and failure as individuals; it’s all real life stuff that helps you to prepare whatever life throws at you.”
He said: “Success is about working hard, you might have a natural talent for bowling or catching, but what really makes the difference – and the ones who make it – are those who practice, keep trying and continually push themselves… those players end up overtaking the ones with natural ability.”
The session ended with a student Q&A during which Michael spoke of his joy winning The Ashes, fond memories of playing cricket in the Caribbean, and advised the students of the importance of enjoying the game and not putting themselves under too much pressure.
Lead Cricket Coach at CHS, Mr Graham Clinton said: “It was fantastic for our young cricketers to have somebody of Michael’s calibre in to run our regular ‘Batting Against Spin’ session. We’re actively looking to get the best opportunities for our cricketers and to have one of the biggest names in world cricket on board is a sign of where we’re going.”
CHS’s next cricket masterclasses will include ‘fielding’ with Western Australia Cricket Association throwing coach Ryan Schurman, and a series of sessions with Lancashire and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club‘s Gary Keedy who will come into School every Thursday during the Summer term to work with CHS’s spin bowlers.
