Worcestershire CCC Under-17s experienced a successful and rewarding time during a 12-day trip to St. Lucia.
The 14 strong group came out on top 3-1 with one game abandoned in a series of games with the home island at 20 over, 30 over and 40 over formats.
But of equal importance was the experience gained from playing abroad and being away from home and there has been positive feedback from the families of the youngsters who participated in the trip.
Former Worcestershire CCC batsman David Banks, who has coached the Under-17s for 21 years, was the tour manager-co-ordinator.
He was ably assisted by fellow coaches Tony Lea – and Under-17s coach for 15 years – and Gareth Williams while Dennis Pyke took on the role of looking after players welfare.
Although there was no official tour captain, Billy Cox (Walsall CC) and Callum Lea (Himley CC) looked after responsibilities on match days.
There were several notable individual performances with Kris Green scoring a superb 80 to help the Under-17s chase down a 220 target in one of the matches.
Left arm orthodox bowler Hasnain Nawaaz also picked up five wickets in another game while off spinner Charlie Cross bowled consistently well.
Billy Cox, who has been on the fringes of the Academy for the past three years, also enjoyed a successful trip and has reaped the benefits of playing men's cricket with Old Hill and now Walsall in the Birmingham League.
One of the highlights of the trip was playing a day-night match on the Test ground in St. Lucia.
The party went with the Travel Group company and were ably looked after by Sergio Fedree who is a first class cricketer in St. Lucia.
Worcestershire CCC Academy Coach Elliot Wilson said: "Historically for seven of the last nine years, the Cricket Board have endorsed a tour out to St. Lucia around Easter time.
"I'm always keen to get any players abroad and overseas for the experience, whether it is a cricketing experience or just being away from families.
"You get to find out so much more about them as players and it is a great opportunity for the lads.
"We had 12 nights out in St. Lucia and the boys played in a five game series against St. Lucia across different formats – 30 over games, 20 over games, some 40 over games.
"We've won the series 3-1 due to the one game being abandoned through the only rain they've had at St. Lucia for about five years!
"We had the opportunity to play a game on the Test match ground in St. Lucia and train and play under lights on the ground – an amaazing experience for the boys.
"The trip has gone really well, we've had some good results in terms of the boys performances out there, winning the series 3-1 and having a fantastic experience with good feedback from the families.
"Kris Green scored a wonderful 80 to knock off a score of 220. Some of the bowlers did well, Charlie Cross, an off spinner from Pershore, bowled consistently well, throughout the whole trip.
"Hasnain Nawaaz got a five-for in one of the games bowling left arm orthodox. He is a new addition to our programme this year.
"We have been really pleased. With any group, to get them away and get them playing cricket is a fantastic opportunity for them."
