Oxford

A word from the coach

Its now early May 2008 and we are all just catching our breath after another hectic start to our UCCE season. We have a week or so off to allow the guys to catch up with some time in the library, and for the Brookes University players to finish off their academic year with some exams and coursework /presentations etc, and of course to continue with their fitness and skills work.

The season started on April 3rd with two 2-Day friendlies against Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, followed by our customary three first class games, which this year were against Middlesex, Glamorgan and Notts.

The guys really relish these early season games against the counties because they have an opportunity to measure their games against some of the best players in the country. I believe that the counties enjoy visiting us down at the scenic University Parks at this time of the year because they know that the will be playing on some good surfaces and against some useful and enthusiastic young players.

These five county games are really a shop window for young ambitious players to make a name for themselves, and which on many occasions can lead to more cricketing opportunities later on in the summer with County 2nd XI’s.

I’m pleased to report that Oxford have had one player get a first class 5 for and another one get a first class unbeaten 100 this season – the 100 against 2 current England bowlers playing for Notts.

The UCCE year really starts back in the previous October with trials for any newcomer over the course of 3 or 4 weeks culminating in a UCCE squad being put together in November.

We look for players with initiative and ambition who will make the very most of the many opportunities to develop their games over the course of the academic year. Players will also need the discipline to organise their time effectively to ensure that their academic and cricketing commitments will be met. As a former Durham and Cambridge University player myself, I’ve come across many outstanding individuals who have successfully managed to play their cricket and obtain good degrees whilst having a fabulous life experience at Uni.

The winter off season period is an excellent time to really analyse one’s game and improve existing skills and develop new ones over an extended period of time. Fitness of course also plays an important part during this period, in addition to improving tactical awareness and working on the psychological aspects of the game.

As I write we currently only have one contracted player and another one involved with the ladies England team. Several others have had trials with counties already this year, with the likelihood of more county cricket games later in the summer.

A new initiative from the MCC this year is to place a UCCE player with a county for the summer. In addition MCC select a UCCE team of non contracted players to play against County 2nd XI’s in July / August.

Many of the current team finish their degrees this year so this autumn we are hopeful that many new ambitious players will come to study at either Oxford (www.ox.ac.uk) or Oxford Brookes (www.brookes.ac.uk), and get involved in the UCCE scheme. Both of these Universities have very good reputations and offer a diverse range of degree and post degree courses.

In summary it is a wonderful time to get involved in the UCCE scheme. A contracted player will get access to some good quality early season first class cricket following on from a comprehensive off season training programme, and non contracted players numerous opportunities to impress county coaches – and you’ll struggle to find a better venue to play your cricket than down at the Parks.

Feel free to contact me or to pop down to Oxford sometime for a chat.

Graham Charlesworth
Head Coach Oxford UCCE and OUCC