Derbyshire Cricket Board - Elite Players 2008-2009

DERBYSHIRE CRICKET BOARD

DCB Elite Players Development Programme 2008-2009

Player Profiles

Monday 13th July 2009

A few words from Michael Mitchell

In October 2008, I was selected for the Elite Player Development Programme, following on from being an Emerging Player. This years schedule has been really enjoyable and a great experience. It has been based around each individual player and their needs.

I have received excellent coaching, working with coaches who are committed to helping me improve all aspects of my game. Technical and tactical skills related to the game have been taught in a variety of ways - classroom, out door sessions, match scenarios, fielding drills etc. Also we have experienced different situations to help develop physical and mental toughness.

The challenge against other players of a similar ability has increased my competitiveness and a greater desire to perform under pressure. Through both 1 - 1 sessions and group work I have improved my batting and fielding skills along with my fitness.

Fortunately I’ve had the opportunity to work with the DCB sport psychologist, Mike Rotheram. Our discussion centred on developing a positive mindset with my batting. I found this an excellent session and definitely a turning point in my development.

One difficulty we have had overcome is travelling to sessions which start in the early evening, due to rush hour traffic.

I feel that I have worked very hard throughout the programme and will continue to do so. My aim is to remain in the EPP after achieving season goals along the way, such as 350 runs for Derbyshire. I hope to benefit from the programme again in the future.

Monday 6th July 2009

Meet Harry White

Hi I'm Harry White and this is my second year as part of the Elite Player Development Programme in Derbyshire.

What I like about this programme is the great intense coaching which makes you want to put 110% in to training and matches every time. The other good thing is the group are all a good bunch of lads and everyone has good a good work ethic and punctuality which makes it a good environment to work in.

The things I find difficult are most things but that's the way it's supposed to be - whether I'm working on my batting or bowling it's all a new challenge.

I feel I gain lots from this program as it provides more practising time on my cricket which means I am getting better at everything. I practise hard and gain lots more skills from the coaches and programmes - this helps my game because all the intense training improves my playing performance during matches.

My aims are to put everything I practice into games, taking plenty of wickets and regaining my place in this programme for next year.

Friday 22nd May 2009
Meet Peter Burgoyne - an interview with HD
	Hi Pete, how’s the season going so far? Hi Howard, I feel that I have had a good start to the season, both with bat and ball. I’m not taking a bucket load of wickets but I have been very economical. My best performance so far was for the Academy, where I got 3 for 44. A dream came true for me recently when I had the opportunity to bowl at the West Indies - I got a few wickets by bowling my slow right arm spin. As for my batting, I‘ve been getting off to good starts in spite of the awful weather. What aspects from the winter programme on the Mini Academy have you been able to use in your matches so far that have made you more effective as a cricketer this season? I think if anything it would be the fielding part of the programme. I feel that my fielding has improved such a lot since last season. I think the reason for this is because my fitness has improved which has helped me get to the ball quickly and move faster. Thanks. You’re a ‘Denby CC lad’ through and through Pete. How do you make sure that your club knows what you need to work on, your goals for the season etc? How do you manage to ensure that your programme with Derbyshire ‘marries up’ with your Denby one? Well it’s easier for me than most people as I have a Derbyshire coach at my club. Mick knows what my goals are and the things that I am working on, and he speaks to me about that. Have you got some big ambitions for this season? Yes I have a really big ambition or dream for this season and that is to play for England at Under 15 level. This shall hopefully be achieved by me getting into the Midlands Under 15 team. If I make it to the Bunbury Festival that could be the next step towards my dream. How will you know if you’ve had as good a season as you hope for? It will have to go on how well I think that I have played and my statistics will tell me. I have set my goals and I know how many runs I am aiming to get and if I can manage to get those runs then I will be very happy. I hear you’ve received a Brian Johnson Scholarship. Well done. How will that help your development? I feel very privileged to have received this scholarship. It will help my development in a number of different ways. To get the equipment that I need and help with cost of travelling and things like that. With my Gunn & Moore sponsorship and the Brian Johnson Scholarship I can get top quality equipment for low prices. The scholarship could also be used towards coaching costs. Thanks Pete and good luck The Brian Johnston Memorial Trust was founded by Brian’s widow, Pauline Johnston in 1995. The objects of the charity are: * The award of Brian Johnston Scholarships to promising young cricketers (11-19). These are awarded on the basis of two main criteria A) Cricketing potential B) Financial need * The support of sport for the disabled, particularly cricket for the blind. These awards are funded mainly through membership of the Johnners Club and the annual Johnners Club Dinner in the spring of each year. In December 1999 the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust joined forces with the Lord’s Taverners and is now based in the Taverners offices at 10 Buckingham Place, London. SW1E 6HX.


An Interview with Tom Knight

	The following is a recent 'email interview' between Tom Knight and Howard Dytham: Hi Tom, hope you are well. How have things gone over the winter on the Elite Player Development Programme Very well thanks. I have really enjoyed the sessions over the winter and I have learned a lot. My bowling has improved with a change of action and my fielding and catching have really developed. The psychology sessions have also taught me a lot, which will help me for the coming season. Thanks. How have you found the transition from ‘indoor to outdoor’ that cricketers have to make every year. I have found the transition fairly easy but you have to adjust quickly. There is much more to think about outdoors such as how the wicket will play and the weather conditions etc., these can all affect your performance. I prefer playing outside on the grass wickets. I know that you’ve just had a couple of days bowling at the West Indies Test side and the England Lions. What a great opportunity. How did you find it? This was a fantastic experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was great to be able to watch at close quarters how international players perform and I learned a lot from them. It was fantastic to bowl at the likes of Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Simmons, Trott and Plunkett. My best moment was when I got Chanderpaul out when he top edged a sweep shot. What were the main things you learned from the experience? I learned a lot from the two days. I shared a net with Suliman Benn and saw that he bowled quicker than I do and that he varied his pace almost every ball. I also learned that there is a smaller margin for error against international players but if you put it in the right areas you can still create problems and get wickets. It was interesting that the sessions they did were very similar to the one’s we do. You’ve got a busy season ahead – what are your main aims? What do you hope to achieve? My aims with Derbyshire this season are to continue my development and to perform to my maximum, taking as many wickets as possible for the U17 team and in the Mini Academy games. I hope to be selected for some full Academy games and to break into the Midlands team. My main aim for the season is to achieve a place on the main Academy for next winter. Thanks for your time Tom. Good luck for the season Thanks Howard


Nick Rigg
	Name: Nick Rigg Age Group: U14 Role: Left hand top order batsman (occasional leg spin bowler - very occasional !!) This is Riggy’s first year in the Mini Academy, although he was involved as an Emerging Player last year. He will be looking forward to the season with both the DCB U14s and Spondon CC.
Training:	Nick has been working hard over the winter to ensure his set up and head position are better to help him play straighter. He has also continued to work on his fielding and has shown that he is one of the fittest players in the Mini Academy.
Character:	Tough. Not the obvious loud and aggressive 'hard man', but much more the quiet, 'steely' young man who goes about his cricket and business with a 'never give up' attitude. He shows that there is more to being an elite cricketer than just the technical ability.
Hobbies:	Playing lots of sport, watching Derby County and getting injured (broken hand and then broken arm in the last month!!)
Monday 16th March 2009
Tom Mounsey

	Name: Tom Mounsey Age Group: U15 Role: Wicket-keeper / Batsman
Character:	Meticulous attention to detail with his planning and preparation (will make someone a good wife one day!!), Tom ‘leaves no stone unturned’ in his quest to be as good as he can be as a cricketer. He is quiet but thoughtful and is easily able to express himself in group environments.
Training:	Tom has been working really hard this winter to improve his batting. He has added a number of shots to his game and has paid particular attention to working on his strength and ability to score runs off a greater percentage of balls. His wicket-keeping has also benefitted from improved strength and better mobility when ‘standing back’.
Injuries:	Currently recovering from a facial injury caused by the ball going through the ‘grill’ on his helmet whilst ‘keeping. Now known as Panda.
Hobbies:	Sheffield United, Cooking and getting his kit ready.

Matt Fletcher ('Fletch')

	Fletch is one of the more senior players in the Elite Player Development Programme and has recently enjoyed some additional training sessions with the main Derbyshire Academy to find out how he is developing against some more experienced players. He is renowned for always giving his best efforts in training although he can get a little ‘carried away’ at times and is often known as ‘Mr Angry’. He has been working really hard in recent weeks on developing his batting against quick, short-pitched deliveries and also improving his game plan against the spinners, whilst his bowling has focussed on the ability to swing the ball away from the right-handed batsman more consistently. Matt will be looking forward to the U15 County season, where he will be looking to play a significant role with both bat and ball.

Wednesday 7th January 2009

Meet the Players on the Elite Player Development Programme

We have recently put together a profile of the players on the Elite Player Development Programme. Read about their heroes, ambitions and interests away from the game.

	Adam Bedford Team Role: Right hand bat and leg spinner Home Club: Matlock CC Sporting Hero: Shane Warne Future Ambitions: to play county cricket and maybe play for England Interests away from Cricket: Golf

	Mykylo Bird Team Role: Opening bat Home Club: Ockbrook and Borrowash CC Sporting Hero: Sachin Tendulkar Future Ambitions: to play professional cricket Interests away from cricket: football and badminton

	George Brandrick Team Role: Opening Bat Home club: Ilkeston Rutland CC Sporting Hero: Marcus Trescothick Future Ambitions: To play for England Cricket Team Interests away from cricket: Football

	Callum Brodrick Team Role: Number three bat and leg spin bowler Home Club: Barton CC Sporting Heroes: Shane Warne and Brian Lara Future Ambitions: to play professional cricket Interests away from cricket: rugby and golf

	Peter Burgoyne Team Role: Opening batsman and off spin bowler Home Club: Denby CC Sporting Hero: Phil Taylor Future Ambitions: to play for England at cricket Interests away from cricket: darts, golf and snooker

	Greg Cork Team Role: All rounder Home Club: Denby CC Sporting Hero: Andrew Flintoff Future Ambitions: to become a professional cricketer Interests away from cricket: tennis, football and badminton

	Matt Fletcher Team Role: Number three batsman and medium pace bowler Home Club: Chesterfield CC Sporting Hero: Michael Atherton Future Ambitions: to lead Derbyshire out at the County Ground as Captain Interests away from cricket: socialising, computer and any other sports

	Matt Goodacre Opening Batsman Home Club: Barton CC Sporting Hero: Sachin Tendulkar Future Ambitions: to continue my progress through the Player Pathway. I hope to play for Derbyshire CCC and England. Interests away from cricket: DCFC- Season Ticket holder.

	Sam Lang Team Role: Captain, number 4-6 bat and one of three leg spin bowlers Home Club: Hallam CC and Apperknowle CC Sporting Hero: Michael Vaughan Future Ambitions: To play cricket for Derbyshire Interests away from cricket: rugby league, football, percussion and athletics.

	Tom Knight Team Role: Spin Bowler Home Club: Sheffield United Sporting Hero: Shane Warne Future Ambitions: to be become a professional cricketer Interests away from cricket: football and golf

	Michael Mitchell Team Role: Opening batsman Home Club: Apperknowle CC Sporting Hero: Ricky Ponting Future Ambitions: to play professional cricket for both County and England Interests away from cricket: football and any sport

	Tom Mounsey Team Role: Middle order batsman and wicket keeper Home Club: Denby CC Sporting Hero: Geraint Jones Future Ambitions: to play for England Interests away from cricket: Watching Sheffield United FC, playing other sports and cooking

	Nick Rigg Team Role: Middle/top order batsman Home Club: Spondon CC Sporting Hero: Paul Collingwood Future Ambitions: to play professional cricket Interests away from cricket: football, rugby, music, watching Derby County

	Harry White Team Role: Opening pace bowler Home Club: Swarkestone CC Sporting Hero: Brett Lee Future Ambitions: to become a professional cricketer for Derbyshire CCC Interests away from cricket: football and golf