BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH their limited overs tour set to kick off tomorrow (Feb. 25) with a practice game against the WICB President’s XI at Warner Park, the England Cricket Team hosted a training session with youths in St. Kitts, yesterday.
The session which was organized by team sponsor Waitrose and local partners RAMs trading, saw close to two dozen children - that are part of the Leeward Islands U-15 team setup - engaging and interacting with the English coaches, Otis Gibson, Sam Billings and Jonny Bairstow.
According to the Jeremy Hall, Sponsorship Manager for Waitrose, the English players involved in the training and interaction have indicated that they are impressed with what was on display.
“There are two or three guys here that stood out. And I think that there is a bright future for West Indies Cricket from what we have seen here today, and it is very, very strong,” he added.
The purpose of the session, Hall explained, is part of the English team’s way of reaching out and engaging communities in countries that they are touring throughout the world.
“It is a great way for when the English team tours, to get engaged with the local communities, and give some of the youngsters here and opportunity to spend some time with cricket professionals and hone their skills and learn from some of the best in the business."
The players last held a similar set of activities in Barbados during their last tour of the Caribbean. Though St. Kitts and Nevis would be the only training session the team would hold on this tour, they are expected to continue such activities during other tours.
The England Cricket team would play a three match one-day series against the West Indies beginning on March 3 at North Sound in Antigua.
