THE Cricket Asylum’s newly-formed Ultimate Academy has been growing and will next be in match action against Yorkshire Under 14s at Sowerby Bridge on Tuesday, May 28 (11.30).
Several members of the academy are gaining county and district recognition, including Barkisland’s Jonny Whiteoak and Elland’s Jack Hendy.
Whiteoak recently took three for 21in 8.4 overs for Durham academy and is now due to join them on a short tour playing in Scotland.
Hendy, meanwhile, has been on trial with Yorkshire and performing well in the Drakes Premiership for the Hullen Edge club.
Jack Wynn (Milnrow) has made Lancashire’s Under 12s squad for the first time from the Ultimate Academy, while Jacob Mulhall, of Lepton Highlanders, made a senior 50 at the age of 13.
Head Coach Matthew Dawson is delighted how the programme has gone in its pilot year.
“I can’t believe how much the players have improved. The combination of one-to-one coaching and challenging group sessions has been the key, I feel,” he said. “It’s fantastic to see so many performing at a higher level already”.
Dawson is again joined by the ex-Yorkshire bowling coach Steve Oldham.
“Steve worked magic with the bowlers and I’m already looking forward to working with him again in the future,” he added.
After the match at Sowerby Bridge, the academy plan to play Bradford Grammar School and Huddersfield New College.
