Former Player Diaries

23-25th May 2007, Oxford UCCE Vs Leicestershire, First Class Fixture.

Luke Ryan

I feel the first class fixtures for the UCCE’s are a great tool for a young cricketers’ development. An extremely high percentage of players on the scheme which runs in the 6 centres across the country have a burning ambition to become professional cricketers themselves. To be able to observe how these players operate first hand is the best way to map out your own path into the professional game. Whether this be in their preparation, or the way they conduct themselves on and off the field.

Our coach Graham Charlesworth or ‘Coach’ as we call him told us to take as much from the experience as we could. He encouraged us to try to talk to the players and seek their thoughts on the game we were playing in or on the game in general. Coach had sent me an email a couple of days before the game and informed me that Leicestershire were playing Claude Henderson, a friend of his, and I might want to ‘pick his brain’ about the art of bowling slow left arm. Henderson has played Test cricket for South Africa and taken over 600 first class wickets. I was looking forward to watching him bowl and maybe less so about facing him!

Our warm commenced at 9.45am on day 2 and after we had loosened up and done some team fielding exercises, it was time to do our individual skills. I saw Henderson bowling in the middle to their wicket keeper. Coach suggested I go over and bowl with him. I dismissed this at first feeling anxious; I didn’t want to interrupt his warm-up. At this point coach grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and dragged me over there, and I’m glad he did! It turned into a scene from when Test Matches were shown on channel 4, and they had the master-classes during the lunch breaks with famous past cricketers! 

Needless to say, I gained a great deal from that meeting and the couple of chats later in the game I had with him, especially the feedback he gave from his observations of me in the game. I have planned my forthcoming winter program around some pointers he gave me. I am very thankful firstly to my Coach for being the catalyst for this help and to Henderson for his interest and his patience. This to me shows how the game can be played. In good spirit, at a high intensity on the field and with a friendly and good-willed nature off it.

Unfortunately, we lost the game by an innings which was extremely disappointing for us, as we were very competitive for most of the game. Henderson also dismissed me in both innings! All that said and done, this experience was invaluable in my quest for becoming the best cricketer I can be and I am relishing the next opportunity that might come my way in the following seasons. This first hand exposure to first class cricket has just made my ambition in the game burn just that little bit harder! 

Beth Wild

St Hilda’s College, Oxford - 3rd Year Geography

When I was selected as the first girl onto the Oxford UCCE programme in my first year as an undergraduate, I felt extremely proud, but slightly apprehensive about what to expect.  Now in my third year I can readily say that it has been an honour and a great privilege to have been involved in the programme. 

The opportunities offered, facilities and highly qualified support team have enabled me to work at every aspect of my game – including one to one technical skills sessions, food and nutrition seminars, physiological screenings, and regular training with talented players in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere.  In my first year I was able to visit the World Cricket Academy in Mumbai, which serves to highlight the extent of the many valuable benefits provided through the UCCE.  

Being at Oxford brings the added pressures of a demanding academic schedule.  At times it can be difficult to find a balance between doing the necessary hours in the library and hitting enough balls to know that you are developing as a player.  You can do as little or as much as you like – ultimately it is up to you as an individual how to manage your time and get to where you want to go.

The Oxford UCCE programme has allowed me to train in a professional cricket environment, whilst reading for an undergraduate degree at one of the best universities in the world.  I cannot recommend the programme highly enough.