Gloucestershire have sent two of their bright young talents to an academy in Perth headed by Neil Holder. Neil is a highly respected batting coach in Western Australia and has coordinated some intense sessions for Mark Hardinges and Roger Sillence. Matt Nicholson is doing the equivalent with their bowling skills. Matt plays for Western Australia, taking five wickets and recording his maiden first-class century against the touring South Africans last week. He played for Australia against England at Melbourne in the fourth Test in the 1998/99 series.

The players are benefiting from an all encompassing programme that includes some rigorous training schedules. Roger is playing for Hamersley and Mark is representing Claremont Nederlands in the Suburban Turf 1st Division.

You might be interested to read their progress reports. The academy runs independent of the Western Australian Cricket Authority.

MARK HARDINGES

FITNESS AND BOWLING:

Mark has progressed with his knee such that he is able to participate in some of the running exercises. After a slow start to the fitness programme, Mark seems to have made a concerted effort to make the most of his time in Australia. Mark is still a little overweight but is now working hard to remedy this. I am confident that with his current attitude we will have him fit and strong by the time he returns to England. Working with Mark's bowling will begin as soon as his fitness allows. 1 have received his bowling tape and have formulated some preliminary ideas for the future.

Matt Nicholson

BATTING:

The initial period of the summer has been designed for Mark to understand his own base game. In developing his base game (or blueprint), he has made enormous progress. The fact that Mark hasn't commenced playing as yet has meant he has spent extra time developing his base. Hs set up is a lot stiller and simple, it will be interesting to see how this holds up in a game situation initially. Without getting into too much technical analysis, he has improved his front foot driving position, with all drives becoming more consistent.

He has opened the top part of his stance slightly which has helped him develop his perpendicular back foot play, particularly off his body.

His pulling position has gone through the roof, cut shot still needs work and now that his position on the front foot is becoming consistent we have just touched on use of his feet to the spinners.

Without having seen Mark's all round game because of injury so far, just his batting development shows me he will be a genuine batsman at first-class level. His enthusiasm toward his batting skills is very exciting.

GENERAL:

After the initial new environment settling in period Mark has settled into a very good routine with fitness and health. We are extremely conscious of him playing only when he feels his knee is strong enough and to this end he has been doing extra work on his knee rehab. A delightful young man with I believe a huge future in the game.

Neil Holder

ROGER SILLENCE

Roger is working hard at his fitness as he is beginning to realise the importance of this part of being a quick bowler. Roger needs to increase his core (stability/strength) and his stamina to ensure he can bowl at top pace for longer spells and throughout the day. He is doing three structured core strength sessions per week as well as his own work and appears to be getting stronger.

We have identified three points for Roger to concentrate on: 1) Head position 2) Front arm 3) Left leg.

We are trying to get Roger to keep his head up thereby allowing his front arm and leg to pull down at his target. Roger is beginning is make progress and is starting to feel the difference himself. He is on track to have his action really well grooved by April. Matt Nicholson

As with Mark, the understanding of his base game has been the key focus. Roger has adjusted his set up with his starting hand position. His pick up is now synchronised with his feet movement.

He has been working on his point of contact becoming more consistent on his front foot. He really is a terrific striker of the ball.

Main emphasis has been on back foot perpendicular play, particularly getting into better position with the balls on his body, so he can access the ball easily. His back foot previously was lauding in the same position, no matter where the ball was pitched. He is also developing his sideways shots. By spending more time "in the middle" in club games, now that he is in more control of his own game, he will start to develop his batsmanship skills greater.

Roger is a very focused person and has a great desire to succeed at the first-class level. He has taken a coaching role at his club and also runs a junior development programme on Friday evenings at his club. Looking forward to the next stage of his development.

Neil Holder

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