Wednesday 12 November 2014 12:46, UK
Four promising English cricketers will travel to Sri Lanka this winter to compete in their domestic competitions.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is sending Scott Borthwick, Ben Foakes, Will Tavare and Tom Westley to play in the First Class Premier Trophy and List A Premier Limited Overs Tournament.
The quartet have been identified by England Performance Programme (EPP) Lead Batting and Spin Bowling Coaches, Graham Thorpe and Peter Such, as players who would benefit from experience of sub-continental conditions.
Surrey wicket-keeper/batsman Foakes and Gloucestershire top-order batsman Tavare will fly out on November 23 to join up with Colts Cricket Club and Tamil Union Cricket & Athletic Club, respectively.
Both cricketers will compete in both the List A one-day tournament before Christmas and the three-day First Class competition in the New Year.
They all really impressed us with their performances in county cricket over the summer, and are all high potential players, who we are keen to see develop.
Following the conclusion of the EPP batting and spin camp in Colombo on December 9, Essex top-order batsman Westley will remain in Sri Lanka to play for Bloomfield Cricket & Athletic Club in the remainder of the Premier Limited Overs Tournament.
The 25-year-old will return to England over Christmas before returning to Sri Lanka on January 2 to play in the First Class Premier Trophy, which gets underway on January 9.
Durham leg-spinner Borthwick will only play in the First Class matches in the New Year, representing Chilaw Marians Cricket Club.
Former England and Glamorgan spinner Robert Croft will travel to Colombo on November 23 for a two-week period to work with and support Foakes and Tavare, while assisting with the programme set-up.
Opportunity
“I’m delighted that we are able to give these four young players the opportunity to play competitive First Class and one-day cricket in Sri Lanka this winter,” said EPP Lead Spin Bowling Coach Peter Such.
“They all really impressed us with their performances in county cricket over the summer, and are all high potential players, who we are keen to see develop.
“This winter in Sri Lanka will provide them with crucial exposure to playing in challenging sub-continental conditions and within a totally different culture and environment.
“We ran a similar programme three years ago, which featured Moeen Ali, so I have no doubt that this will be a hugely valuable experience for them and I hope that they make the most of the opportunity to learn and develop as players and people.”
