Cricket Australia Launches Partnership With Hampshire

Cricket Australia (CA) will send six of its promising young players to train with Hampshire's Academy as part of a landmark new partnership between the two parties.

The players will also play in the Southern Electric Premier League for one of six different clubs during the English domestic season.

The partnership will give the players access to state-of-the-art facilities and world-class coaching at the Ageas Bowl International Cricket Academy (ABICA) during Australia's off-season.

"CA is very excited about this partnership and opportunity for our very best young players," CA General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said.

"The opportunity to experience cricket in a different country will grow them as players and as people. For those chosen it will be an important part of their development."

Hampshire Cricket Chairman Rod Bransgrove added: "The Ageas Bowl International Cricket Academy commences operations in April of this year and we are delighted that Cricket Australia is sending six high-performing young players to the Academy in its inaugural year.

"This shows a high level of confidence and faith in the ABICA facilities and staff and we look forward to working with CA in accelerating the development of these talented young cricketers."

Click here to listen to Rod Bransgrove talking about the new partnership.

Hampshire have strong links with Australia having employed Shane Warne, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Matthew Hayden, Shane Watson, Stuart Clark, Daniel Christian, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Graf, Andy Bichel, Dominic Thornely, Marcus North and Phillip Hughes as overseas players in the past. Warne captained the side between 2004 and 2007.

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