An excellent opportunity arose this week for a couple of Amesbury boys to attend a Batting Masterclass at Charterhouse. This year it was headed up by Mark Ramprakash (ex-Middlesex, Surrey and England batsman) who had kindly given up his time to provide the boys with a morning of coaching.
As coaches go, Mark is one of the best people to impart his knowledge on to the pupils. He scored 114 First Class centuries (only 25 players in the history of the game have ever achieved over 100 centuries) and he also went on to have a great coaching career as the England batting coach for several years from 2014 until recently.
The boys enjoyed their day that started with some fielding drills (a very important aspect of the game and an area that can win or lose games) and then followed it up with a batting clinic and a net session.
Throughout the morning Mark was on hand to provide excellent insight and tips to each of the boys, alongside the knowledge of Martin Bicknell (ex-Surrey and England bowler who took over 1000 First Class wickets for Surrey) to provide great advice on bowling techniques.
After lunch, there was also an opportunity for the boys to ask Mark a couple of questions and to delve deeper into what it takes to become a professional sportsman, as well as insight into playing with and against some of the worlds greatest cricket players.
Overall an amazing experience, and hopefully one that the boys will cherish for years to come.
Grant Rouse
Teacher of PE & Games
