The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that Courtney Walsh and Mike Young will be part of the coaching team for the ICC Americas Cricket Combine to be held in Indianapolis, USA from September 18 to 27.
Bowling legend Courtney Walsh was named as one of the coach to help ICC Americas Combine team. Photo by WICB Media/Ashley Allen
Following the Combine an ICC Americas representative team will be selected to play in the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Nagico Super 50 tournament during January 2016, after which the best performing players could receive an opportunity to trial for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Walsh, the legendary West Indies fast bowler and former captain who took 746 wickets during a 17 year international career, was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2010. In retirement he has continued to work in a range of roles with the WICB and is currently a national team selector. He is also the bowling coach for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL.
“I’m really excited by this opportunity to help identify and work with some of the best talent in the Americas,” said Walsh.
“It’s great that the ICC and the WICB is working together on this initiative that can only help cricket develop in the region.”
Mike Young, the internationally renowned American baseball coach, has for the past 15 years been a fielding specialist with Cricket Australia as well as completing assignments in the Indian Premier League.
“Despite growing up in Chicago and having a baseball background, I’ve become a passionate cricket convert and therefore can’t wait to pass on what I’ve learnt during a lifetime in both sports,” said Young.
The Combine coaching team will be coordinated by ICC Americas’ High Performance Consultant Tom Evans, and will also include coaches from some Associate and Affiliate Members within the region.
About the ICC Americas Cricket Combine
The Combine will have two phases, with Phase 1 being an open trial. All eligible players* in the Americas region can apply online by clicking here for the opportunity to be selected to attend the trial that will take place at the World Sports Park in Indianapolis from 18 to 21 September.
The best players from Phase 1 will then be invited to attend Phase 2 of the Combine from 24 to 27 September, after which the ICC Americas team will be selected. Some players identified through previous ICC Americas events will be invited to attend Phase 2 automatically.
Applications for Phase 1 of the Combine will now close on Friday July 24. More information is available at iccamericas.com/cricketcombine.
The ICC Americas region is part of the ICC’s Development Programme, which aims to grow and improve cricket with ICC’s 95 Associate and Affiliate Member countries.
*Only players that meet the ICC eligibility criteria to play for Associate and Affiliate Member countries within the Americas Region will be considered for selection in the open trial and regional team. Information regarding player eligibility can be found here.