Matthew Hoggard Helps Young Liverpool Bowlers

  ‘A memory  that  will last  a lifetime’ was how one parent described their kids attendance at the Matthew Hoggard bowling masterclass held in Liverpool this weekend.   The two 90 minute sessions saw young bowlers exposed to Matthew’s skill and experience all in an environment of fun and challenge.   

The highlight for all saw a £20 bounty being placed on the top of off stump, to be won by the bowler skilful enough to disturb the target without hitting the stumps. James Robson from Liverpool CC volunteered to take first turn and pocketed the bounty with his first ball.  Congratulations James!

Matthew structured the session to have the young seamers (10  to 17)  focusing on their front arm, bowling arm, follow through, grip and mental approach each  in turn.  ‘A wonderful experience for the boys’ wrote one parent ‘my son certainly came away with things to think about and consider; and that I feel, is key to any sort of session like this’ wrote another.

The session culminated in a Q  and A  session.   Lots of boys were intrigued to hear that Matthew played no junior county cricket but still made it to the very top of the game.   This echoed the pathway  of Phil Defraitas who gave a similar masterclass in Liverpool before Christmas.   Matthew’s opinion on Kevin Petersen's England future was sought and given in tones suited to those of a diplomatic West  Yorkshire disposition.   And Matthew’s greatest  satisfaction…….  Breaking into his county  first  team.

Given his total of 248 test  wickets we were all left  impressed with Matthew’s humility  and ability  to communicate to all -  many  boys will be taking his advice away  with them to become better  cricketers I’m sure.   Thanks to Mathew and Don Bagwati of City  CricketAcademy and also to Childwall Sports and Science Academy  for hosting at short  notice.

Thanks also to all those parents in the cricket  community  of Liverpool who supported this event.

Phill O'Brien