Former Australian international cricketer Nathan Bracken will be inspiring the young cricketing talent of Armidale this summer, when he heads up the coaching panel for the SBCC NSW Cricket Clinics.
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“Nathan is one of the best junior coaches in the business and it’s fantastic that we have him on board for this year’s camp,” said Shaun Brown of Shaun Browns Cricket Coaching, which will run the clinic.
Bracken played five Tests and 116 one-day internationals for Australia. He was a left-arm fast bowler who excelled in the one-day game.
In 2008 he was rated the No 1 ODI bowler in the world.
He is remembered for his great changes in pace, using slower balls to deceive batsmen around the world.
In Armidale, Bracken will be joined by Ray Bright, who played 25 Test for Australia and took 53 wickets.
He had best bowling figures of 7-87 against Pakistan in 1980.
Brown said Bright was a state selector for Victoria and had an abundance of knowledge about all aspects of the game.
“It’s great to have Ray back on board this year, as he has a great understanding of the game and interacts well with the younger generation,” Brown said.
The camp will be held at The Armidale School on January 15-16 from 9am to 3pm.
“Our aim with the clinics is to provide an excellent learning experience for enthusiastic cricketers between the ages of seven to 16,” Brown said.
“Our program covers all facets of cricket for the Twenty20, one-day and Test formats.
“All are aimed at improving participants’ skills, knowledge and enjoyment of the game.”
Brown said over the past 30 years thousands of participants had improved their skills in all aspects of the game at the regional camps.
“It’s fantastic to be able to involve former Test stars in areas that normally don’t get that exposure,” said Brown, a professional cricket coach since 1986.
He said his clinic featured the use of video analysis, a comprehensive program and written reports for all who attend.
In part, cricinfo said this about Bracken: “Tall and slim, Bracken moves the ball both ways in the air and off the seam and fitted easily into Australia's rampant one-day squad in 2000-01.
“He was also instrumental in resuscitating New South Wales’ fortunes, including a first-innings 6 for 27 in their 2004-05 final win over Queensland and 7 for 4 earlier that season when South Australia fell for 29.
“A shoulder injury cut short his maiden Ashes tour in 2001 after two matches, but following a spell on the sidelines he returned to the national set-up during the 2003 World Cup, when Jason Gillespie dropped out with a heel injury.”