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January 2019

DLCA face off against another academy from Melbourne

A clash of two academies

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DLCA face off against another academy from Melbourne

DLCA face off against Da Future Stars from Melbourne between 21st – 24th January, 2019

 

After months of preparation, the DLCA welcomed Da Future Stars to Adelaide for 4 days of actioned packed cricket.

The academy from Melbourne engages predominantly local Australian players and were always sure to be a quality opposition in the T20 and three day fixture.

After flight issues due to cancelled Tiger Airlines flights, Da Future Stars eventually arrived on Monday 22nd January in the morning. The stage was set for our first match of the week at Adelaide Uni sports fields, with a T20 to decide who had the best short form game.

DLCA captain Raff Hussey won the toss in the T20, electing to bat. With Charles Clist and Kieran Grey opening the batting, the pair got off to a great start. Clist was punishing the bowler, smashing them all over the park. On 0-45 from four overs, the DLCA were looking promising, until Clist had a lapse in judgement and attempted a ramp shot to be eventually be bowled out for 34. Billy Buckingham and Murray Whitaker were next in and both struggled to get off the mark, as did Ned Dunning who was trapped LBW. Eventually Mahaaz Ahmed came to the crease and steadied the ship with a mature 34 from 37 balls. The DLCA were eventually bowled out for 8/110 from 20 overs.

Da Future Stars started slowly, losing an early wicket for not many runs. Some tidy bowling from Billy Buckingham and Raff Hussey early set the stage for a close run chase. Unfortunately a few expensive overs in the middle of the game and a lack of concentration, saw the opposition get some quick runs and the target began to look in reach. After a fightback of two quick wickets from Mahaaz Ahmed, the game was in the balance. However, Da Future Stars ran way with the game in the last six overs and reached a comfortable winning total of 161.

It was a great learning experience for the DLCA players with Head Coach Mark Harrity discussing the match post game.

“It was fantastic for our boys to see the mentality you need to take into a competitive T20 match – it certainly exposed the way we approached the batting order and fielding tactics”

Following the match, all players went home and rested up ahead of the three day game.

Arriving early on Tuesday 22nd January,  both teams met for the coin toss at the prestigious Karen Rolton Oval. For those unaware, the oval is the premier ground in Adelaide behind Adelaide Oval and boasts great facilities.

Ahmed lost the coin toss for the DLCA and Da Future Stars elected to bat. After the first couple of overs, the game was reminiscent of the Boxing Day test at the MCG due to the slow wicket. Cameron Laird opened the bowling with the Dukes ball and offered some variety early. However as the first session dragged on, it was apparent that it was a batting wicket that offered little for the bowlers.

Billy Buckingham began to take control from one end, however no wickets prevailed. Ned Dunning was leaking runs with his right arm off spin, however in a miraculous turn of events, this became redundant.

A component of spending a summer away in Australia for these young Englishmen is to adapt to situations and explore new opportunities outside of their home environment. Ned Dunning returned to the crease. Right arm over the wicket exclaimed the umpire. However, this was looking a little different with Dunning at a fast bowlers run up. Whilst it took a few overs to eventuate, a miracle was born. Dunning had successfully turned himself into a medium-fast seamer without practice to scalp 4/64 from the innings. Amazed teammates could not believe it.

With the excitement of Dunning’s revelation in the field, the extremely hot day of 38 degrees only turned warmer. It was a testing day in the field as Ben Bryant from North Sydney District Cricket Club scored 204 for Da Future Stars. The day eventually came to a close with the opposition declaring on 7/535. A mighty fine effort from a squad that appeared very well-rounded.

The players all needed to hydrate overnight as the temperature on Wednesday 23rd was sitting at 40 degrees. It appeared that Day 3 would be called off due to extreme temperatures of 46 degrees, meaning the DLCA had to use the day to best effect.

The chase was off to a slow start with early wickets falling from Charles Clist and Billy Buckingham. However Alex Eckland and Mahaaz Ahmed came to the crease and steadied the ship with an important partnership to get the DLCA back in the game. Eckland was politely knocking the away teams fast bowlers around the field, starting to establish a good long-form innings. Ahmed remained at the crease, executing a couple of nice sweep shots to help Eckland reach 41, his high score for the season so far.

Going into lunch the DLCA were 2/94 and Mark Harrity encouraged the boys to keep at it and look to close out the day.

Unfortunately in the first ball back from lunch, Ahmed played one too many sweep shots and was caught at short fine leg.

Joining Eckland at the crease was childhood friend Ned Dunning after an excellent performance with the ball.

Just as Dunning looked steady, Eckland was out. Joining Dunning at the crease was Olly Nathanson – so dedicated to his studies that he is currently completing Upper Sixth Form whilst attending the DLCA. Nathanson spent the entire game with his his french and physics textbooks at the table whenever he was not required in the match.

The two steadily reached a composed 175 partnership, with Nathanson knocking up a beautiful 105 not out, his best score in Australia against arguably the most difficult opposition. Dunning also scored a career best 54, displaying his prowess as a genuine allrounder.

However, the DLCA experienced a lower order collapse and finished up on a commendable total of 345, with Da Future Stars running away with the win.

Day 3 was inevitably cancelled due to forecasted temperatures of 46 degrees and the two squads had a day off to recover at the beach.

Head Coach Mark Harrity reflected on a strong week of cricket stating, “the modern cricketer has more challenges than ever, guys need to adapt between the different formats of cricket”.

“Allowing the DLCA players to compete in a T20 with a white ball, then switching over to a 3 day game with a red swining duke ball is difficult”

“You’ve got to change your mindset from attack to putting away the fancy shot and being patient”

Thank you to the umpires for a great week in the scorching conditions and we look forward to playing Da Future Stars next year!

High Performance Players tour the South Australian Sports Institute

DLCA players visit South Australian Sports Institute

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High Performance Players tour the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI)

High Performance Players tour the South Australian Sports Institute

 

The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) has the produced the likes of Alex Hill, Anna Mears and Kyle Chalmers.

You may not know of all three, but what they have in common doesn’t fall too far from the tree for our High Performance Program players.

Alex Hill is a world-champion rower and olympic silver medalist. Anna Mears is an elite track cyclist with gold medals at the olympics and commonwealth games, while Kyle Chalmers is arguably Australia’s best swimming prospect and is already a 100m gold medalist at the olympics.

These athletes were a credit to themselves and SASI, dedicated to fostering the best athletes in the world.

It was an eye opening experience for our High Performance Players to tour the elite facility and hear from High Performance Manager Tom Patrick. Prior to his role at SASI, Patrick has been in high ranking positions at India, Qatar, Argentina, Canadian and New Zealand’s national sports institutes.

It was exciting to explore the facilities on hand including an altitude chamber, biomechanics lab, physiology lab, weights gym, playing fields, oversized treadmill and more.

What really stood out for the boys was Patrick’s talk about elite sport. From his past experience, he used analogies to describe what he saw in the differences between countries High Performance environments.

“It has nothing to do with who has the best facilities, who has access to the best supplements or who has the most money”

He emphasised that the differences were the athletes themselves and the coaches they have.

“You have to do things differently if you want to get different results. It’s about those who sacrifice and why they do it”

The most important factors discussed were how you personally approach your diet, recovery, strength & conditioning, elite habits and goal setting.

Although not all DLCA High Performance Players have the ambition to go on and play at a County, State or International level, it was great information about how they can step up to the next level on their scale.

We look forward to returning to SASI again with next year’s High Performance Program squad and being fortunate enough to hear Patrick’s wise words of wisdom.

 

Bailey Doe from Westminster and Brad Young working one-on-one during the 2019 DLCA Schools Program

Inaugural DLCA Schools Program

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Bailey Doe from Westminster and Brad Young working one-on-one during the 2019 DLCA Schools Program

Bailey Doe from Westminster and Brad Young working one-on-one during the 2019 DLCA Schools Program

 

In the past, the DLCA High Performance Program (HPP) has been exclusive to those who sign up for the 10 or 20 week program.

This summer we opened the doors to ten up and coming junior stars from Adelaide’s backyard.

The players came from across South Australia to not only link up with our world-class coaches, but to also train alongside our High Performance Players.

The week commenced with players arriving for our Monday morning batting and gym session at Gillespie Sports – excited for the week ahead. What better way to start a week than a gruelling gym session – right? The DLCA strength and conditioning guru, Sean Baker, opened up the gym and took them through their paces with body weight exercises. Soon after, it was straight into the nets to work with batting specialists Mark Cosgrove and Andrew Zesers.

The Monday session provided a great opportunity for the coaches to get their heads around the strengths and weaknesses of each player.

With all feeling sore from Monday’s gym session, Baker was back in the action on Tuesday. It was time for a yo-yo test in the gym at Prince Alfred College. Players in the Schools Program had the chance to test their fitness levels with the best in the business.

While many of the lads naturally struggled against the HPP players due to their younger age, there was one standout. Bailey Doe (14), Westminster student and Sturt District Cricket Club player, pushed himself to the best of his abilities and managed to beat a couple of the HPP players aged over 18. A tremendous effort from you Bailey.

The Schools Program players also had the pleasure of watching promising HPP athlete Ned Dunning from Somerset rate elite in his test scores. Following the yo-yo test, players had the opportunity to sit down with our leadership and mentoring expert, Stewart McCully to discuss their mental approach to cricket. It was excellent for the young players to be exposed to advice that is normally delivered to elite athletes.

To finish off the session, the boys worked outside for a skills session with Danny Perkins (Wicketkeeping), Mark Cosgrove (Batting), Brad Young (Spin Bowling), Peter Muggleton and Mark Harrity (Pace Bowling).

In rising temperatures of 38 degrees, Wednesday offered an opportunity for the boys to engage in some match simulation at Park 25. Coaches set game specific targets for the batters and bowlers, requiring the players to adapt. The session offered an opportunity for them to think strategically and go beyond executing their skills.

A highlight of the day was the ability for Schools Program and High Performance Program players to mix across nets. Fergus Southon, Prince Alfred College and Aldgate Cricket Club player, faced off to some top class bowling from Billy Buckingham (Norfolk) and Harry Lee (Cumbria). Similarly, wicketkeepers Kieran Grey (Berkshire) and Olly Nathanson (Buckinghamshire) had the opportunity to face bowling from the likes of Joel Stone, Woodcroft College student and Southern Districts Cricket Club player.

Thursday at Prospect Oval allowed the boys to practice batting and fielding, whilst also squeezing in another gym session. The program then finished on Friday with a core, pilates and recovery session at Henley Beach.

It was a great week for all involved and a big thank you to Josh Bevan, Bailey Doe, Mitchell Jones, Travis Mickan, Michael Parker, Fergus Southon, Joel Stone, Angus Turner and Jayden Wilton for coming along.