Leicestershire Young Cricketers
July 2013
Dear Clubs,
My apologies that we have sent out this nomination information letter, later than previously advertised. We have
been having a review of some of our procedures and I can now confirm that our trial process for the Leicestershire
Young cricketers programme will take place during October.
During this process we will obviously be looking at potential player’s cricket skills, but also their athletic capabilities,
mental skills, fielding skills and attitudinal qualities.
I’d like to keep looking to develop relationships with the clubs and I feel that it is only right that I look to give you as
much information as possible prior to making your nominations as managers and coaches in regards of what we are
looking for in order to give you some guidance. Over the years this may be refined slightly but hopefully what is below
will give a decent basic starting point.
I feel that often clubs are not clear on counties requirements and can end up sitting at either end of the nomination
scale. Not nominating as they are not sure, or nominating nearly everyone in a hope to think that if they throw the net
wide enough some will get in. I raise this point as I feel as coaches we have a duty of care for our athletes and it is not
fair to send cricketers who are not up to standard to a county trial only to be met with disappointment. However we
will endeavor to see every nominated child and hope that the information on page two will be helpful on whom you
choose to nominate.
The information below does not mean that we are expecting players to be the finished article. Some players may be
able to tick more boxes than others, as will always be the case. This information is meant as a guide to you at clubs
and schools and will form a large part of our selection process.
There have been a number of clubs who did not nominate players last year and I hope that this will change over the
future years. I am happy to discuss with clubs what the programme entails and to work as closely as I can in order for
us all to develop Leicestershire & Rutland cricket.
Attached is a separate nomination form which asks you to enter some basic information on each player to give us a
more rounded view of his previous season and his mental and physical game. Please print off enough copies for your
required nominations. Please note this document is purely for the boys programme as the LYC Girls programme will
be reviewed at the close of the season.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this document and please feel free as a club to seek more clarity on any
aspect it discusses.
We would request that completed forms are returned by Friday 23rd August and we will write to invite player to come
for trials during October. For those successful in attaining a place the programme cost is estimated to be £180 for an
18 week programme. Please note that you do not have to nominate players who are already in our A or B squads.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Siddall
Performance Development Coach - Leicestershire County Cricket Club
[email protected]
It is our aim to provide a challenging cricket experience for young talented players in the county can continue their
development, and our overriding aim of the programme is to provide an environment and pathway to help identify
and nurture talent into first class cricketers for Leicestershire and England. With this in mind this is what we are
looking for:
PHYSICAL
Player will be naturally athletic, with good basic cardio vascular levels, fundamental movement and striking skills. This
will include a player’s ability to run, jump and throw, present good basic speed, agility and balance, and finally present
good general coordination skills and running style.
ATTITUDANAL
The LYC programme is challenging for those players who are invited to take part. Initially often due to the pure nature
of our training times our sessions take place on weekday winter evenings it can be a struggle for some boys to stay
engaged. We are looking for boys who are coachable, who will respond well to feedback and are open to suggestions.
We are looking for boys who are self-starters and who will find a way to develop themselves rather than purely rely on
their teachers, parents or coaches. We are also looking for players who understand that cricket is a team game and
are willing to be selfless for the good of the group. Finally but equally if not more important we are looking for
athletes who have a deep competitive drive.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS
It is not an easy thing to measure but mental toughness, the ability to make good decisions under pressure and deal
with the numerous challenges that our game presents is vital. We are looking for boys who are brave enough to deal
with a cricket ball coming at them at speed to hit, stop or catch, and also boys who are resilient enough to deal with
the ups and downs of team sport, a county selection process and a game that presents its fair share of challenges.
FIELDING
We are looking for boys who are natural catchers, and boys who can catch a cricket ball approaching them at speed or
from high. It is one of the most basic areas of the game and one of my major areas for assessment. If a player is not
confident in catching cricket balls they will struggle to progress into the programme. We are looking for players who
present good basic catching positions and who have a good SPACIAL awareness and perception of depth and
speed in order to judge a catch from distance. We are also looking for the combination of how players move into
space around the ball and intercept it, are they able to deal with the demands of dynamic fielding (hitting the deck and
diving around), and last but not least their basic throwing technique, accuracy, and power. (Obviously required levels
increase each age group)
WICKET KEEPING
We are looking for players with good hands, sound wicket keeping basics and speed of movement. It is also important
to consider the combination of being brave enough to catch a fast moving ball, judge length, speed of foot and the
mental and attitudinal demands listed above.
SPIN BOWLING
We are looking for players who spin the ball and who can progress to be able to beat both sides of the bat. We are
looking for players who have body control and are able to show a good basic repeatable action, imparting energy onto
the ball. Finally an understanding of grip and basic tactics is important.
PACE BOWLING
Accuracy here is not the key thing we are looking at although it helps. A player’s ability to show a good natural rhythm
and running style, get strong at the crease with a repeatable action and show pace or potential of pace is more
important. A player who is competitive and who will grow into being tall athletes with an ability to hold line and
length at pace is a key selection tool. We are certainly looking for an understanding of a good basic grip and bowling
plan.
BATTING
We are looking for players with a good set up at the crease and set of fundamental basics first of all. This includes grip
and players being nominated for a county trial should be able to grip the bat in an orthodox manor. Key selection
criteria are players who will move into line, or stay in line when the ball is on the back foot, and move into the ball, or
hold their line when the ball is on their pads on the front foot. We are looking for players who present good basic
footwork, an ability to time the ball and will play with balance when attacking and defending. A critical indicator for
selection is a player’s ability to be comfortable when the ball is directed at his body and be brave enough to deal with
the pace of his age group. As players progress up the age groups the ability to play spin also becomes increasingly
important.
TACTIACALLY
How to play the game is crucial as we all know. So a player’s ability to learn and understand the game is important.
This is not a criterion in its own right, however in developing potential elite cricketers a player needs to be able
to understand and possess the ability to learn and think about the game on a tactical level.
Please note that we are not expecting all players to be able to do all things.
These are just some guide lines for you to understand a little more about what we are looking for.