Jordan, Meaker and Dernbach on ECB Winter Performance Programme

13 October 2009

Three Surrey players – Chris Jordan, Stuart Meaker and Jade Dernbach – have been included in the ECB Winter Performance Programme for 2009/10.

The 41 players in the programme have been divided into four categories, grading them in the order of those perceived to be closest to graduating to the England side. Jordan has been placed in the ‘B’ category, indicating that he has experience of first-class cricket and is thought to be one to three years away from the England team.

Initially, Jordan will undertake specialist training at the National Cricket Performance Centre (NCPC) at Loughborough University and then move to a residential camp in the Cricket South Africa High Performance Centre in Pretoria. Both camps will feature opportunities to play competitive cricket.

Whilst in South Africa, Jordan will have the chance to work alongside former International stars Graham Gooch, Allan Donald and former Surrey legend Saqlain Mushtaq, who will support the ECB training team of David Parsons, Kevin Shine, Dene Hills and Bruce French, at different stages throughout the camp.

In the camp, Jordan will be joined by his new Surrey team-mate Steven Davies who – alongside Ian Bell, Ryan Sidebottom and Liam Plunkett – will train alongside the Performance Squad before joining up with the England squad on completion of the One Day series.

Dernbach and Meaker have not been given a grade and they will not be attending the training camp in South Africa, but will travel to Florida and Chennai to take part in the specialist Fast Bowling Programme.

They will begin the course by attending a conditioning camp in Florida and then train at the MRF Fast Bowling in Chennai under the supervision of Australian great Dennis Lillee.

As in previous winters, the England Lions will undertake an overseas tour early in the New Year and further details of the squad and opposition will be released in due course.

Another player selected is left arm spinner Tom Smith, who represented Surrey on loan from Sussex earlier this season.

Commenting on the Programme, ECB Performance Director David Parsons said: “I am really excited about the depth of the programme we have put in place for our most talented young players this winter. We will be offering a greater range of training and support than before and have carefully tailored the programme to ensure that we can cater to the specific needs of individuals and their stages of development.

“To have access to former international players of the calibre of Graham Gooch, Allan Donald, and Saqlain Mushtaq, as well as the full-time ECB specialist coaching team, during the programme will be a tremendous asset, giving these young players the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the world.

“To see eight players who were part of the England Performance Programme last winter selected for England’s tour of South Africa next month is a good indication of the importance of the programme for a player’s development. With players like Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Trott and Graham Onions having made an immediate impact in the international arena this summer, having spent time with EPP and England Lions squads recently, we are keen to identify other players within County Cricket who can make a difference to the full England side. “

‘A’ Players

‘B’ Players

‘C’ Players

Fast Bowling Programme