MCC graduates set for World Cup role by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 13th March 2007

 

It may not seem as if there is much of a link between Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the owners of London's Lord's Cricket Ground, and the ninth Cricket World Cup.

 

But six players who've come through MCC's longstanding Young Cricketers scheme will be representing five different countries at the sport's showpiece event in the Caribbean.

 

Those who've followed a similar path to that trodden by such cricket greats as the late Denis Compton and Ian Botham to make it to the West Indies are England wicket-keeper Paul Nixon, New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, the Irish duo of Will Porterfield and Kevin O'Brien, the Netherlands's Daan van Bunge and Bermuda's Steve Outeridge.

 

MCC head coach Clive Radley, the former Middlesex and England batsman who is in charge of the Young Cricketers programme, said the presence of six players at the World Cup was a sign of the scheme's enduring relevance.

 

"It's very pleasing for MCC to see these guys representing their countries at the World Cup.

 

"The Young Cricketers programme exists to pick up promising players who haven't yet caught the eye of the (English) county academies.

 

"We give these players - from all over the world - access to the best facilities and a platform on which to perform.

 

"I hope to see all our former YCs do well in the tournament but am particularly excited to see how Will Porterfield gets on, after only leaving our staff last year."

 

For the past two years an MCC Young Cricketers team have competed in English county cricket's 2nd XI Championship for county reserve sides.

 

After the 2006 season, four members of the MCC squad were signed by counties with Will Gidman (brother of Gloucestershire and England 'A' player Alex) joining Durham and. Dawid Milan staying at Lord's with Middlesex.

 

Kyle Tudge moved to Glamorgan, the only Welsh-based side in the County Championship, and Gary Wilson signed up for Surrey.

 

The last former MCC Young Cricketer to win the World Cup was Mark Waugh, whose 37 not out helped steer Australia to victory against Pakistan at Lord's in 1999.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)