Academy becomes Cheshire 2nd XI - to the power of three!

It's been a busy winter at Cheshire CCC HQ. Squads are taking shape and we've some exciting news around the Cheshire Academy side.

The Academy/Development XI/2nd XI plays a vital role in the Cheshire pathway helping players progress from age-group cricket to National Counties level as well as supporting 'late developers'.

Stewart Maclead has been at the helm for many years and this year has additional coaching support from the Cheshire Cricket Board as the County looks to enhance those links to recognise the amount and type of cricket played.

The step up to National Counties cricket can be considerable with players often facing past and present first class players.

In the last ten years more than 40 players have ‘progressed’ through the side into the Cheshire 1^st XI.

"We wanted to make  this element of the pathway clearer for our youngsters," said Cheshire CCC Chair, Jim Law. "As part of this, the side will revert to the Cheshire 2nd XI. 

"We also recognise that resource for Stewart Macleod has been limited and with more competitive cricket than ever now being played across red and white ball formats, we need greater flexibility.

"The 2023 fixture list comprises one day and multi-day cricket and there is a particular challenge in developing players for longer games (National Counties championship games are three days with a 90 over first innings limit). It’s considered that most players play considerable limited overs cricket but the U18s programme in particular offers a number of longer games.

"Gavin Colebourn (Performance & Pathway Manager) and Stewart Garnett (Development & Coaching officer) from the Cheshire Cricket Board are able to work with Stewart Macleod in 2023 to progress and develop the side, providing a vital link from age group cricket. The pair bring vast experience with Gavin a Level 4 coach and Stewart a previous Chester 1^st XI player."

Cheshire 2nd XI Fixture List 2023

+Thursday 4 May 11am - Haverigg CC (50 over) Cumbria Cricket Board v Cheshire 2nd XI

+Wednesday 17 May 11am - Elworth CC (50 over) Cheshire 2nd XI v Staffordshire Senior Development Squad

+Tuesday 13 June 11am - Cheadle CC (50 over) Cheshire 2nd XI v Northumberland Development XI

*Tuesday 20/Wednesday 21 June 11am - Audley CC (2 day) Stafffordshire Senior Development Squad v Cheshire 2nd XI

+Tuesday 27 June 11am - Warrington CC (50 over) Cheshire 2nd XI v Wales NC North

F Wednesday 5 July 11am - Oxton CC (45 over)  Cheshire 2nd XI v MCC Midweek XI

*Tuesday 18 July - Thursday 20 July  11am - Middleton CC (3 day) Lancashire CCC XI v Cheshire 2nd XI

*Tuesday 8 August - Thursday 10 August 11am - Tbc (3 day) Cheshire 2nd XI v Lancashire CCC XI

+Sunday 13 August 11am - Weston CC (50 over) - Cheshire 2nd XI v Shropshire Development XI 

*Tuesday 22 August - Thursday 24 August  11am - Derby (3 day) - Derbyshire XI v Cheshire 2nd XI 

+ Northern National Counties Cup

 *Run jointly with Cheshire U18s

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