Mick Newell has been working with some of England’s finest batsmen this winter after joining the coaching staff at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough.
The Notts Director of Cricket is coaching a group of 12 batsmen - including two of his own players in Will Jefferson and Samit Patel - as part of the ECB’s Skill Set Programme for those players of outstanding promise in their specialist field.
Said Newell: “You could describe the players involved as being on the fringe of an England call-up and this is a way for the ECB to keep them in the system.
“Will Jefferson was also involved last winter and it was through his work there that he got the call-up to tour Bangladesh with England A.”
Former Zimbabwe and Derbyshire coach Dave Houghton is leading the batting sessions alongside Newell, while former Notts and England wicketkeeper Bruce French is leading the wicketkeeping programme.
Newell’s involvement reflects his standing within the game as an elite coach, having gained the highest coaching badge available with the Level 4 award.
He added: “Being able to focus on the coaching side of things is something I enjoy, and it’s good to be involved with players at that level.”
This article is taken from the Winter issue of Covered, theofficial Notts CCC magazine available to all members. For membership detailsclick here.