EDP players set for UAE training camp

The 17-man England Development Programme (EDP) squad will depart for an intensive ten-day training camp at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Thursday (December 11 – December 21).

The EDP touring party – which features players from across the Under-17 and Under-19 age groups – represents the final contingent of England cricketers to travel overseas to play and train before Christmas.

They follow England’s seven-match One Day International series against Sri Lanka, the England Performance Programme (EPP) batting and spin camp in Colombo and fast bowling camp in Potchefstroom, and the county quartet of Scott Borthwick (Durham), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Will Tavare (Gloucestershire) and Tom Westley (Essex), who are playing for teams in Sri Lanka Cricket’s major domestic competitions this winter. 

The UAE training and development camp will be the first tour overseen by ECB’s new Head of the England Development Programme, Andy Hurry.

Speaking about the tour, Hurry said: “The EDP training camp to the UAE serves two important purposes. 

“First, it provides an early opportunity to expose this group of young players to challenging sub-continental conditions in a world-class training environment at the ICC Academy. 

“Secondly, it allows us to work with the country’s highest potential young players in an England cricket environment for a concentrated period of time. 

“Together, the overall aim of the ten days is to facilitate a progression in skill execution, alongside developing an appreciation of what it takes to train and play at the highest level.”    

Ahead of the start of the 2015 English cricket season, the EDP will embark on two playing tours. An EDP U17 side will take on Pakistan U17s in the UAE in February and an England U19 side will tour against Australia U19s in March-April.

EDP winter touring and training schedule 2014-2015:

England Development Programme 2014-2015 Squad: