Young and Chase Australia bound
December 2nd 2013 by Cricket Ireland |
Craig Young receiving his Irish cap earlier in the summer
Fast bowling pair will join Graeme McCarter in being coached by Craig McDermott in Queensland, Australia.
CRAIG YOUNG and Peter Chase are heading to Australia as part of a Cricket Ireland overseas placement opportunity.
The fast bowling pair will join up with Graeme McCarter, who has enjoyed a successful start to his club career in Brisbane with Wynnum.
The trio will come under the expert coaching guidance of current Australia fast bowling coach Craig McDermott, who worked with the Ireland senior team at the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year.
“The fast bowling trio are an important part of Irish cricket’s future,” said Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth.
“As part of our succession planning, particularly in the fast bowling ranks, we are ensuring that these three quick bowlers benefit from expert specialist coaching with the 2015 World Cup very much in mind.
“With Trent Johnston retiring and Boyd Rankin now with England, it is critical we develop our most promising young fast bowlers with a world-class programme.”
Holdsworth also revealed that the players will get the opportunity to bowl against the Australian Test team in the nets during the build up to the Melbourne Test. “The programme will last eight weeks, but they will have an opportunity to watch the Boxing Day Test, and bowl to players of the calibre of Michael Clarke, David Warner and Brad Haddin.”
McDermott was looking forward to working with the young fast bowlers, saying: “This is a certainly a fantastic opportunity for three of Ireland’s next generation of pace bowlers to come and hone their skills in a different environment and put those skills into practice playing tough club cricket.”
“The intention is to send the guys home tougher, fitter and more skilled, which will hopefully ensure plenty of competition in the Irish fast bowling ranks ahead of the 2015 World Cup.”
23 year-old Young, who enjoyed a successful debut against Scotland earlier this year, is relishing the chance to work with one of the world’s great coaches.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity, not only to go to Australia and play but to work with someone of the calibre of Craig McDermott,” said the Bready man. It isn’t something that comes along very often.
“I jumped at the chance, and it’s great to be back involved doing trips like this. It’s been a long road for me with injuries, so I can’t wait to get out there and get started now. I’d like to say a massive thanks to Cricket Ireland for making it possible. It will be good to work and catch up with Graeme and Peter.”
20 year-old Malahide paceman Peter Chase has represented Leinster Lightning in the RSA Inter-Provincial Series, and is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Irish cricket circles.