Academy head John Windows is currently in Bangalore, India, leading a group of five Academy prospects plus first team spinner Ryan Pringle on a training trip.
From IPL auctions to a practice match on the outskirts of the city, Windows has updated us on their progress with the first of his tour diaries.
Hello from Bangalore!
It has, as always, been a fascinating trip to India with the Academy players and Ryan Pringle so far. After spending our first few days acclimatising to conditions in the grounds of the famous M. Chinnaswamay Stadium, the lads played their first game out here today.
We played Jolly’s Cricket Club with all of the travelling players involved and supplemented by Karnataka State Cricket Association academy players, with Ryan captaining as the senior member of the squad.
In a 50-over game at the fantastic Alur grounds on the outskirts of Bangalore, Jolly batted first and finished on 222/9. Matthew Potts picked up an early wicket but the pick of the bowling was Pringle, with 2/34 off ten overs, while Liam Trevaskis took 2/43 off his ten.
Tom Hewitson fell early in the reply and that theme continued as wickets fell regularly, with everyone getting in but failing to go on. Greenwell batted positively for 28, Potts made 19 while Pringle scored 21.
Eddie Hurst (29) and Trevaskis (48) put together the highest stand of the innings and briefly threatened the target, but both were out in quick succession and we fell 32 runs short of the target; all out for 190 with five overs to go.
It was a great experience at a superb venue against players who perform in these conditions week in, week out. Although we didn’t quite manage to win, the lads showed glimpses of their ability and signs of the progress already made in the nets.
We have another week of practice and a couple more games against good quality opposition so I am confident lads will continue to learn and develop their games. It is hard to go from the English winter and the indoor school into competitive cricket at 35 degrees with the ball spinning as it does; it is a great chance for these lads to develop their games.
While we have been here, IPL fever has been at a huge high with the auction yesterday and we watched it yesterday as Stokesy was snapped up for a record fee. The buzz around the whole area was fantastic; if it was like this for an auction, what is it like when the competition actually starts?
We are being really well looked after by Karnataka State Cricket Association and are hugely grateful for the support they give us out here. It’s been great so far and we’re looking forward to the rest of the tour!
John