Devon Cricket Board - Bradninch bring in top-flight coach

Bradninch bring in top-flight coach

BRADNINCH have signed a pacy opening bowler, a record-breaking teenage batsman and top-level player-coach to bolster their squad for the season ahead.

Dan Milligan, who has been clocked at 80mph under the speed gun, will be taking the new ball in the season ahead with Ross Acton at the other end.

Milligan, learned his cricket in the unforgiving environment of the Lancashire leagues. On the way up he played for Cumbria U17s, Lancashire U19s and the Lancashire 2nd XI.

He played for Lancaster in the Northern Premier League for three seasons (2006-08).

After a spell playing Grade cricket in Sydney, Milligan returned to this country to complete his university studies.

Milligan was captain and chairman of Staffordshire University CC in 2010 and played for Burslem in the North Staffs and South Cheshire Premier League last summer, taking 40 wickets.

Bradninch’s new batsman is Matthew Golding, who played over the border in Somerset with North Curry last season.

Golding average more than 50 in the Somerset League last season, but it was for Devon U17s that he really shone.

His knock of 171 in a little more than four hours against Worcestershire at Exmouth was the third highest in the history of the team.

Golding can also turn his hand to a few overs of leg-spin, which skipper Gary Chappell may well find useful this season in the new 50-over format being played in the Premier Division.

Bradninch have brought in a new seniors’ player-coach for 2012, wicketkeeper-batsman Paul Tweddle.

Tweddle – 24 next month – is currently working towards a level four coaching award, which is as high as you can go with the ECB. Fellow students are Leicestershire batsman Will Jefferson and Lancashire all-rounder Glen Chapple.

Playing wise, Tweddle has appeared for Dorset, Somerset 2nd XI and Malahide CC in Ireland. Tweddle was in the republic working with Mark Garaway, the former Somerset head coach and England team analyst, who was director of Cricket Ireland.

In his last game for Malahide, Tweddle battered the Rush CC bowling for 116 off just 96 balls.

Tweddle played for and coached Dorchester in 2008 when they won the Dorset Premier League in 2008.

Derrick Foan, the Bradninch chairman, said Tweddle had a clearly defined role within the club.

“His main focus is getting that extra 20 per cent out of our young team, with more structured coaching and game plans,” said Foan. “He will also be taking on the role of chairman of selectors.”

Perhaps Bradninch’s most important appointment for the season ahead is of Scott Chappell as the club’s new youth coach.

Bradninch struggled to sustain their youth system last season and have tackled the problem head on.

Chappell has set up a coaching programme for young players of all ages in preparation for a full set of East Devon Youth League fixtures at Under 10s, U11s, U13s and U15s in the season ahead.

Chairman Foan said the club had made a conscious decision to develop from within rather than importing players.

“We have recruited locally rather than bringing players in from overseas and placed the emphasis on coaching at all levels,” said Foan.
“These coaching initiatives will harness and build on the enthusiasm of our young cricketers, helping them to further develop and hone the skills needed to succeed at the highest level.”

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