Cricket

A programme with a history of developing world class athletes

The Durham MCC University programme provides male and female students with the opportunity to combine academic and sporting excellence.

Durham has helped to develop over 40 Test and County Cricketers. Household names include England Captain's Nasser Hussain and Andrew Strauss and England Internationals, James Foster, Alex Loudon and Caroline Atkins. Current students include Men's England under 21 internationals Tom Westley and Greg Smith and Women's Ashes winner Holly Colvin. More information on our recent graduates can be found here.

Durham was the first MCC University to be established and is now one of six programmes throughout England and Wales. In addition we are just one of four universities to have First Class County Cricket status and compete against at least three County sides every season.

The Racecourse Ground, the home of Durham University Cricket, is internationally famous, having acted as the first class base for Durham CCC in advance of the Riverside Ground being completed. The success of Durham University Cricket over a long period of time has been phenomenal. Our men have been National University Champions no fewer than 18 times, whilst the women have two National University titles to their name. Success at second and third team level has also been equally impressive.

The current men’s competition programme includes Three Day matches against First Class County sides, a Two Day MCC Universities Championship and a One Day British Universities Championship whilst the women play in British Universities and County league competition.

The Durham University Cricket programme recognises that the development of the individual, both as a player and as a person, is the key to continuing success. Every player is unique and, as such, our programme reflects this.

Andrew Strauss Honorary Degree conferred at Lord's 11th April 2011

Durham University has conferred Andrew Strauss' honorary degree at Lord’s on 11th April 2011.  Past and present players and supporters of Durham University MCCU attended the unique celebration with the England Captain following his recent Ashes win in Australia.

Check out this short video in which England Captain Andrew Strauss, current England player Holly Colvin, BBC Sports Presenter Chris Hollins and others share their experiences of what playing cricket at Durham University means to them.

More about the women's side of the club....

The women's cricket club is a friendly and welcoming sports club catering for all abilities. We encourage anyone to come along and have a go as we are always looking to strengthen our squad in order to build on our past successes. AND, apart from anything else, it is great fun! It is not unusual for girls to turn up at training in October having never picked up a cricket bat before and end up playing for the first XI come the summer! On the other hand, England International Caroline Atkins is amongst our alumni and we currently have Holly Colvin as a member of our team! 
 
We train at least once a week with a qualified coach, with different sessions aimed at the beginners and the more advanced players. We also offer one-to-one sessions for those players keen to develop their game further. Most matches are played during the summer term, but we also play in an indoor tournament in the winter.

About our senior coach

Graeme Fowler (Senior Coach)

• England and Lancashire opening batsman
• 21 Test Matches
• 26 One Day Internationals
• Former Durham student

Senior Coach Graeme Fowler with Andrew Strauss, Durham Alumni and England Cricket Captain

Cricket Scholarships are available to access for male players who are contracted to County sides and female athletes who have age group international experience. Current scholars include England Under 21 men's batsman Tom Westley and Women's Ashes winner Holly Colvin. For more information about Scholarships and the Elite Athlete Performance Programme, please click here.

Scholarship athlete and England under 21 international Tom Westley

• Full time professional coaching support
• Sports specific strength and conditioning and fitness support
• Access to nutritional guidance seminars and additional nutritional information
• Access to Connect Physical Health Centre Open Clinics and pre booked physiotherapy sessions to selected athletes
• Access to an on-site doctor to selected athletes
• Team performance and individual technique video analysis (First Team only)
• Access to a comprehensive pre-season training programme
• Support in attaining sporting concessions where the performer is in good academic standing
• Lifestyle and time management support / mentoring for selected athletes

Want to know more about the Team Durham Performance programme? Please click here