Essex fast bowler Paul Walter has been named in the ECB’s winter Pace Programme.
He is joined by Tom Barber of Middlesex, Josh Tongue, George Scrimshaw and Leicestershire’s Zak Chappell – with the more experienced pair of Reece Topley and Jamie Overton to join the Programme as part of their back to bowling schedule following back injuries.
The Programme will be led by Kevin Shine, the ECB’s lead fast-bowling coach, and he will be assisted by Matt Mason, the Worcestershire assistant and fast bowling coach.
In addition to the opportunity for warm-weather training in South Africa early next year at the High Performance Institute for Sport at North West University’s Potchefstroom campus, the bowlers will also make two trips to the Desert Springs resort in southern Spain.
After splitting their time between their counties and the Performance Centre through October and November, the Pace Programme will head for Spain from December 9-14, and again from February 27 – March 3, after their return from South Africa.
The Young Lions squad will also hold a three-day camp at Desert Springs next month before travelling to South Africa for a Tri-Series also including Namibia, and the Lions will prepare for their trip to West Indies early next year with a camp in Spain from January 20-25.
The first of the five ECB camps being held in Spain this winter will involve the England Women’s Academy, from October 19-26. England’s Physical Disability team are also planning a camp for next spring.
Pace Programme 2017-18: Tom Barber (Middlesex), Zak Chappell (Leicestershire), George Scrimshaw (Worcestershire), Josh Tongue (Worcestershire), Paul Walter (Essex). Reece Topley (Hampshire) and Jamie Overton (Somerset) to join Programme as part of their back to bowling programme following injuries.
Pace Programme Schedule
October 30 – November 3, November 6-10, November 20-24, November 27 – December 1: Performance Centre, Loughborough
December 9-14: Warm weather training camp, Desert Springs
January 3-5, 8-10, 15-17: Performance Centre, Loughborough
January 25 – February 9: Warm weather training camp, Potchefstroom
February 27 – March 3: Warm weather training camp, Desert Springs
