European Development Manager, Ian Stuart, recently visited Bisham Abbey, currently one of Sport England's National Sports Centres. He was greeted by Hugh Morris (Technical Director - ECB), who enthusiastically showed him around the peaceful Abbey grounds and buildings. The site offers superb indoor, outdoor and overnight facilities, and has great potential to become the ECB's new national cricket centre.

Located in Buckinghamshire, a short distance from both the M4 and M40 motorways, and around half an hours drive from Heathrow, Bisham Abbey is conveniently placed for visiting European teams, and opportunities for European cricketers to visit, either as part of an ECC initiative or independently, were discussed during the morning with both Hugh Morris and Gordon Lord (Coach Education Manager - ECB).

The progress of this ambitious initiative will be closely followed over the next eight months and it is hoped that any European visitors to England will be able to make the short journey out to the tranquil surroundings of Bisham Abbey.