Looking for future stars

JOHN STANWORTH

CRICKET: 

 SHAW-BASED coach John Stanworth will lead a team of England youngsters on a visit to India later this month.

The under-18 squad face 16 days of intense coaching and action during their stay, which will be based in and around Bangalore’s KC Stadium.

Stanworth (49), director of Lancashire CC’s academy since 2002 and one of England’s highest-qualified coaches, will head the tour which is being organised under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Its primary aim is to identify young players capable of handling the pressures associated with cricket at the highest level.

Said Stanworth: “Other countries have cricketers playing at international level at a much earlier age than they do in this country.

“We are looking to accelerate the process in which players develop, so that they become smarter, more mature and streetwise.

“Our desire is to try to identify our best under-18 players and to test them in pressure situations. We plan to find out how they deal with being under the pump.”

One of the criticisms levelled against English cricket is its ability to develop players of huge natural ability into battle-hardened international performers.

A prime example is Mark Ramprakash, a player whose talent was never in question, but one who was unable to cope consistently with the demands of top-flight combat.

More recently, Ian Bell was the subject of similar criticism before he finally came good during the winter tour of South Africa.

Stanworth revealed that the young England set-up includes former SAS officer Floyd Woodman, whose influence in discipline and attitude has been immense.

“It has certainly opened my eyes to a different and more effective way of working,” said Stanworth.

“Having said that, we are not trying to churn out officers, but a successful group of players.”

The pruning of the squad to its current level was made following intense coaching and assessment at Loughborough.

Among those casting an expert eye over the youngsters were former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart.

Originally, there were 36 young cricketers. That was reduced to 20, and then to the current 16.

Stanworth will fly out to India in a fortnight’s time and the young players will follow the next day.

There will be three matches against Sri Lanka under-18s and two others against sides from neighbouring districts in Bangalore.

Lancashire’s only representative in the 16-strong squad is Will Chapples, a batsman who bowls medium pace swing.

Another Red Rose youngster, batsman and leg spinner Liam Livingstone, is one of four players on stand-by.