NatWest Speed Stars
Ever wondered where the next Andrew Flintoff or Steve Harminson will come from? Don't worry. At NatWest, we've got it covered.
Ever wondered where the next Andrew Flintoff or Steve Harminson will come from? Don't worry. At NatWest, we've got it covered.
NatWest Speed Stars is the nationwide competition to find the next generation of pace bowlers.
Since 2002, it's been the chance for aspiring cricketers from around the country to show their skills in front of top coaches from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Each year, the fastest four male and four female bowlers in four categories (adults, under 18s, under 15s and under 12s) have been invited to the ECB Performance Centre at Loughborough for a coaching clinic with a top England bowler.
In 2007, Birmingham's Recardo Gordon, the leading under-15 boy, proved to be the fastest of all the bowlers with an impressive speed of 72mph.
"NatWest Speed Stars is a great initiative," said England's Ryan Sidebottom, who has previously helped coach the finalists at Loughborough. "When you look at some of the speeds that are being recorded, it makes me think I might have to hang up my boots."
Middlesex and England bowler Beth Morgan added: "It's great to see NatWest doing something like this. It's unbelievable how fast some of these kids are bowling."
Ryan Sidebottom
