Master Class session 10
Mar 30 2007
Some serious lessons with Tim Boon
Ahead of their big match against the Leicestershire Foxes, the Cricket Star XI had an opportunity to spend a day with the Leicestershire County Cricket Club coach, Tim Boon. And in true visionary style, Tim gave the boys the feel of what it would be like to be a part of a serious club that aimed to take the player far beyond his boundaries.
The boys were in for a unique Master Class session as Tim Boon emphasised his batting philosophy and overall approach to the game in a presentation that had the boys enrapt. Boon had plenty to share with the boys of his own rise to become the coach of the team, and as assistant coach and analyst to the England Cricket Board and current coach of the England team, Duncan Fletcher.
But far from being a boring boardroom presentation, the boys were introduced to new strategies, greater focus and interesting and methodical approach towards realising their goals. And once back on the field, the same relaxed approach prevailed as Boon introduced new training drills and techniques that initially had the boys amused. But they quickly got into the spirit of it and enthusiastic bodies replaced weary ones as they absorbed every level of intensity that Tim introduced periodically.
Thereafter, the boys had their first feel of what it would be like if they won the contest and joined the LCCC. Introduced to the training methods, and watching the boys at the club training, the boys understood that there would be a thorough work out in store for the winner, to ensure that he played the game at the highest level of the sport. The boys were touched by the video clip that showed a couple of LCCC boys sending their wishes to the contestants at the Cricket Star Academy, encouraging them to come to the UK.
The boys then spent time with physiotherapist Judith Pitt-Brooks who demonstrated the muscle response tests that were done with the boys at the Leicestershire Club in order to find injury prone weaknesses and which helped strengthen the body with emphasis on symmetrical fitness improvement.
All in all, it was a day of thorough and professional activity! And this is just a taste. For the winner of the Cricket Star competition, it is only the beginning!
