|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
PAUL HAIGH
IT'S not every day a quartet of former Test cricket greats and a current star turn up at a public high school. But it happened last Thursday at Westfielkds Sports High School. Former Aussie icons Dean Jones, Jeff Thompson, Merv Hughes and incumbent Test opener Matthew Hayden joined former West Indies great Courtney Walsh at West- fields as part of the Macquarie Bank Sports Camps. Camps are held throughout the year but it was the first such luminaries of world cricket had visited a public school. Westfields has one of the best organised cricket and development programs |
 |
|
for students in NSW.
Jones, who scored 11 Test centuries in 52 matches for Australia, addressed the young batsmen after a net session, explaining the finer points of the game. Hughes, a former Test firebrand who's trademarkmoustache and on-field exercise antics became synonymous with Australian cricket in the 1980s and early '90s, shared his thought on the importance of practice and |
technique of young bowlers.
Walsh, who made batsmen tremble in becoming the first player ever to pass 500 Test wickets, instructed youngsters on the art of bowling. "At these clinics we are trying to fine-tune the young cricketers," Walsh said. Former tearaway Jeff Thompson, who took 200 wickets in 53 tests and left England in tatters during the 1974/75 Ashes tour, also imparted his knowledge young bowlers. Hayden, who averages 55 with the |
bat, was a keen observer and instructor working with the batsmen in the nets.
"It was a terrific visit for the boys in the cricket program to be here and listen to such great names of the game," Westfields Sports cricket coach Ian Gill said. "To have four former Test icons and a current-day great such as Matthew Hayden here at the one time is something for everyone...to remember." |
 Former Windies icon Courtney Walsh (centre) with student Steven Burt. |
Paceman lobs in to school
FORMER West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh was one of many star attractions at Westfields Sports
High School last Thursday.
The former world record-holder for the most wickets in the game (519), imparted his knowledge to young bowlers at the Macquarie Bank Sports clinic. Walsh, current Australian player Matthew Hayden and former |
Australian Test trio Merv Hughes, Dean Jones and Jeff Thompson, were clinic coaches.
Walsh, who played 132 Test matches during his career, said he was impressed with the Westfields cricket program. "We work at these clinics to fine tune young cricketers for their coaches and their programs," he said. "We try and point out some of the bad habits the players might have and fine tune the so they get out of these habits."  16th February 2005 |
Page
| Home | Index | About-Us | Credits | Information | Links | News | Publications | Search | Sports | Staff |
