MCC Young Cricketers

The MCC Young Cricketers programme (YCs) demonstrates the Club's determination to foster new talent and maintain its reputation as the world's most active cricket-playing club.

Ireland skipper Will Porterfield impressed on the YC scheme After benefiting from expert coaching, intensive playing programmes and world-class facilities, many MCC Young Cricketers - both men and women - proceed to enjoy successful careers in county or international cricket.

Notable 'graduates' of the MCC Young Cricketers programme include England's Ian Botham and Phil Tufnell, plus Australia's Mark Waugh.

The scheme also prides itself in assisting cricketers from outside the Test playing nations develop. Among recent graduates are Will Porterfield (Warwickshire and Ireland), Kevin O'Brien (Ireland) and Afghan pair Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Nabi.

MCC Head Coach Mark Alleyne With one in three MCC Young Cricketers going on to sign professional terms with a first-class county, the current squad will be hoping to emulate recent YCs such as Ross Taylor (New Zealand), Darren Sammy (West Indies) and Dawid Malan (Middlesex).

MCC Head Coach Mark Alleyne is the man tasked with developing the raw potential and talent of the MCC Young Cricketers and to try and help each player make the transition to the professional game. This transition is attempted in the competitive environment of the 2nd XI Championship and Trophy.

MCC was the first cricketing organisation in the country to pay female cricketers as professionals. Since the first intake in 2003, when current England all-rounder Nicky Shaw joined the YCs, MCC has helped to develop the game of some of the most promising women’s players in England.

Sarah Taylor - one of the 2011 women's intake The current intake of women features five England internationals, including ICC World Cup and ICC World Twenty20 winner Sarah Taylor.

Assisting MCC is ECB Head of Women's Cricket Clare Connor, who sits on the Youth Cricket sub-committee and helps to identify the next generation of talent.

Importantly, the MCC Young Cricketers programme also develops the non-sporting skills of its participants, to ensure that they have a number of alternative career options available to them.

Working with the Professional Cricketers’ Association, expert advice is available to all Young Cricketers throughout their time on the staff, to help guide them on their career path.