UCCE cricketer off to Indian academy

Date released: 6 February 2009

Bangalore-bound: Durham's Dan Gale MCC is sending university cricketer, Dan Gale, over to a top Indian cricket academy to develop his skills ahead of the upcoming UCCE (University Centres of Cricketing Excellence) season.

Durham UCCE’s Gale featured in most of the university’s matches last season, his first at Durham, and then excelled for the MCC Combined Universities in the summer. He also played for MCC against Bangladesh ‘A’ when they toured England in 2008.

Best candidate

As a non-contracted cricketer, MCC decided he was the best candidate to get the most out of a week-long trip to the Global Cricket School (GCS) in Bangalore. He leaves Durham’s freezing temperatures for Bangalore’s 30°C sunshine on Friday 6 February.

Gale bowled for MCC against Bangladesh 'A' in 2008 There Dan will look to develop his left arm spin with the help of local coaches, as well as pit his wits against GCS’s team of top local spinners.

Several MCC Young Cricketers have just returned from the GCS, where they received advice from Rahul Dravid, alongside hours of intensive coaching.

Having already begun his winter training under the watchful eye of Durham head coach Graeme Fowler, Dan will look to put all he learns to good use when Durham UCCE kick off their season against Lancashire at the Racecourse Ground on 11 April.