A group of the top batting talent in the United States will have their development fast-tracked as part of a three-week Major League Cricket (“MLC”) high performance batting camp in Mumbai commencing next week.
Current USA National Team captain and MLC-contracted player Monank Patel will be a part of the group traveling to Mumbai, with the dynamic right-hander currently the second leading run-scorer in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series. Accompanying the 29-year-old will be teenage opening batsman Saiteja Mukkamalla, who debuted for the USA National Team earlier this year, as well as two of MLC’s contracted players, Andries Gous and Obus Pienaar.
The three-week intensive training camp will be overseen by current Delhi Capitals assistant coach and world-renowned batting instructor, Pravin Amre, with the camp to be focused on preparing these players for the challenges they will face in international tournaments and the inaugural season of Major League Cricket in 2023.
The four players will integrate with local Indian players for training sessions, as well as take part in a series of matches and match simulation scenarios within the camp period. The camp will represent the first time that Gous and Pienaar have traveled to India, providing them with invaluable experience in subcontinent conditions.
“It is exciting for Major League Cricket to be able to provide this truly unique experience to some of the best batters currently here in the United States,” said MLC National Development Coach, Liam Plunkett. “The ability to be able to develop their games under the tutelage of Pravin Amre will be invaluable for these players and represents a great opportunity to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead over the next 12 months.”
This camp forms part of Major League Cricket’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality training and playing environments for cricketers based in the United States. Further player exchanges and training opportunities are planned throughout the remainder of 2022 ahead of a huge season of domestic cricket organized by MLC in 2023, inclusive of the inaugural season of Major League Cricket, Minor League Cricket’s third season and high-performance teams touring the USA to play MLC representative teams.
To support these programs, current United States National Team player Rusty Theron and former England international Liam Plunkett have been appointed as MLC National Development coaches, helping to oversee the acceleration of domestic talent development in the United States.