Email This Article To Someone!

Players from Bermuda, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, Kenya and Scotland are set to feel the benefit of an 11-week Winter Training Camp (WTC) in South Africa as they step up preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007.

The Camp, part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) High Performance Program (HPP) for the five Associate countries that have qualified for the Caribbean, will take place between 10 October and 21 December 2005 at the University of Pretoria’s high performance centre.

Under a coaching team led by Scotland coach Andy Moles (left), the attendees will receive an in-depth structured program of technical, tactical, physical and mental training as the build-up to the tournament continues.

The ICC’s High Performance Manager Richard Done said: ‘As each of these countries have similar needs in preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup it makes perfect sense to share coaching and training resources in this way’.

Coaches include former England fast bowler and bowling coach Bob Cottam, Gus Logie, the Bermuda coach and former West Indies batsman, and Mark Lane, who previously coached with Moles in Kenya.

In addition to cricket-specific training, the WTC includes work on physical fitness, nutrition, vision, psychology and recovery as well as specialist sessions from current and former South Africa players. Each of the other National coaches not already present will also be invited to attend for two weeks.

The camp will be attended by eight players from Scotland, three each from Bermuda, Canada, Ireland and Kenya and one player from the Netherlands, although each of the five countries except Scotland has been granted an extra place if they wish. Scotland’s additional numbers are based on the fact they had already planned to send players to South Africa before the WTC arrangements were confirmed, as well as Moles’ presence to head up the program, a presence that is funded by Cricket Scotland.

The facilities available for use during the WTC include the accommodation, turf grounds and nets, a modern gymnasium, swimming pool and recovery, sports science and sports medicine areas. Players will also get the chance to complete their Level Two coaching awards.

The WTC has been financed by a combination of the ICC High Performance Program budget, the $500,000 preparation grant afforded to each Associate country after they qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup and contributions from the countries.