Courtney Walsh gives tips to Dartmouth
Legendary West Indies bowler Courtney Walsh surprised youngsters at West Bromwich Dartmouth this week ahead of their Staffordshire County Cup final next month, writes Matt Wilson.
The former Windies captain, who captured 519 wickets in a glittering 132 Test match career spanning 17 years, gave the under-15s a rousing pep talk ahead of their big match against Porthill Park.
He was taken to Dartmouth for the Monday night training session by Staffordshire’s regional county coach Cookie Patel.
“He had a good impact apparently,” said club chairman Jay Patel.
“He spoke to the boys, shook their hands, and asked them how preparation was going for the final.
“It was a fantastic surprise, and nice for him to mingle with the youngsters.”
Michael Corcoran’s under-15 side are unbeaten so far this season, having won all eight of their games played.
They beat Fordhouses by nine wickets in the Staffordshire County Cup semi-final, and the team is eyeing up another trophy after powering their way through to the semi-final of the West Midlands Youth Cricket Association Cup.
They beat Aldridge by six wickets in the quarter-final.
Corey Blackwood is averaging 72.33 for the season, having scored 217 runs in six innings, while fellow opener Qays Safdar averages 64 with 197 runs from the same number of innings.
The bowling attack share the wickets around, although Yahya Jahangir has taken eight with an average of 6.25 and Vinit Singh has seven with an average of 8.57.
