Driven by vision of glory for England

KEITH PEEL

Grass roots cricket success story supremo Colin King is a man with a global vision.

Paving the way for potential stars to shine for the England team is the Mid-Norfolk Sunday League chairman's mission.

“We need constantly to thinking about how we can provide the talent that will propel our Test team to greater glory,” he said.

King believes the league provides the perfect way of achieving this aim, by giving youngsters the chance to play with and learn from the best adults.

He said: “I am a firm believer in the principles of 'youth and experience'. To my way of thinking, youth cricket does not prepare youngsters for the full adult game.

“Cricket is a multi-faceted game and one where there is no replacement for experience. I believe that it is important to get youngsters playing alongside adults, in a proper adult competition, as soon as possible.

“I am not against youth cricket as such. There is much superb work done by the likes of Godfrey Batley, Colin Brassett and Peter Dye and I would hate to undermine what they are doing.

“However, we need constantly to be thinking about how we can provide the talent that will propel our full England Test team to greater glory. In other words, I am looking for that 'diamond in a bag of nuts' - someone who will force their way to the top.”

The Mid-Norfolk Sunday League has steadily grown to nine full divisions, and now has teams from over 62pc of all Norfolk clubs.

“The Shield Premier Division is stronger than ever this year and we see Horsford in a good position to win the overall championship, but Swardeston are close behind,” said King.

“These two clubs epitomise exactly what I feel about 'youth and experience' teams.

“Some of the top players in Norfolk appear in their teams, but they give their youngsters a full opportunity to perform to their best.”