Warwickshire’s Academy members are gearing up for the 2017 training camp in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which runs between 17th and 27th February.
Twelve Academy and fringe-Academy players, accompanied by three coaching staff will embark upon a busy eight-day schedule of warm weather training, three one day matches and an outreach visit to a local home for orphaned children.
The group will be accommodated south of Colombo on the Mount Lavinia coast, and will compete against The Sri Lankan Customs Club, Tamil Union Cricket Club, and The Sri Lankan Air Force – all ‘first class’ cricket clubs in Sri Lanka. Training takes place at the Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium (P.Sara Oval) and The Free Trade Zone Sports Complex – both excellent grass wicket training facilities.
The players on camp were challenged hard by the heat, arid pitches, and no compromise manner by which the Sri Lankans (batsman particularly) approached their cricket.
Paul Greetham
The group are well aware of the tough conditions and cricket ahead, but are excited at the prospect of challenging themselves in an environment rich in cricketing culture and passion for the game.
Paul Greetham, Warwickshire CCC Elite Cricket Development Manager led the 2016 camp and felt there was no reason to travel anywhere else this time round: “This time last year, the players on camp were challenged hard by the heat, arid pitches, and no compromise manner by which the Sri Lankans (batsman particularly) approached their cricket” he said.
“Although some players struggled to perform consistently throughout the tour, the overall experience has had such a positive impact on their respective games in the last 12 months. We had no hesitation in agreeing to return to Colombo with a slightly larger group this time.
“We are looking forward to some of the repeat travellers leading the rest of the squad in terms of mindset and meeting any challenges head-on.”
Regular reports on the Sri Lanka training camp will be available through www.warwickshireccc.com and through @WarwickshireCCC on Twitter.
