Cricket: Global cricketers train in the Bay

Overseas cricketers staying at Ben Williams Cricket Academy (clockwise from top); Joe Atkinson (England), Mathew Saunders (England), Steven Zwinkels (Netherlands), Cher van Slobbe (Netherlands), Ryan Parnell (England), Ben Quirk (England), Abdul Sabri (Scotland), Tim de Kok (Netherlands), Gavin Main (Scotland), Michael English (Scotland). Photo / Andrew Warner

The Ben Williams Cricket Academy continues to attract young cricketers from around the world.

This summer 10 cricketers are living at the academy in Te Puna enjoying a full-on cricket experience of daily training and coaching at the covered nets facility.

The cricketers aged 18 and 19 are from the Netherlands, England and Scotland and play for local clubs in the weekend.

Head coach Williams had four overseas players last summer and he says the new intake all have the right attitude.

"They have come here willing to develop their skills so they follow the programme we have put in place that covers everything including strength and conditioning and cricket development," Williams said.

"The biggest need they have is the basics of batting and they have had no real technical coaching in bowling. Video analysis here has been a winner for them because they are aware of improvements they can make.

"We set them a programme to achieve that and send them home twice the player.

"The clubs have been great too integrating them into the social side of things."

The group includes three members of the Scottish under-19 team and the sole female Cher van Slobbe has played for the full Netherlands side.

"I love the opportunity we get here to train every day to get better and that is what I want. It is a great experience," van Slobbe said.

Williams already has 16 international cricketers confirmed for next summer.

He says the Albion club is keen to host a team made up of overseas players which Williams will also play in with his brother Russell.

"I have spoken to all the club captains and Bay Cricket and everyone is keen on the idea simply for the fact there will be better quality cricket played," says Williams.

"We will not be taking opportunities away from anyone as we will be a whole new team."