Meaker wins fast bowling scholarship

Stuart Meaker has been named as the first recipient of the Harold Larwood Fast Bowling scholarship to Australia.

Seven players are participating in the England Cricket Board’s Fast Bowling Programme this winter. This group includes Meaker (Surrey) who has been nominated as the first recipient of the Larwood Fast Bowling Scholarship which will be nominated annually and enable a young fast bowler to spend a winter in Australia receiving specialist coaching and playing ‘grade’ cricket.

The scholarship has been created as part of the Fast Bowling programme following discussions between the Board and the surviving members of the Larwood family based in Australia.

ECB Managing Director – England Cricket, Hugh Morris, said: “Harold Larwood is rightly regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and with an Ashes tour underway, we felt this was an appropriate time to honour Harold’s memory and inspire future generations of young pace bowlers to emulate his achievements.

“The scholarship will be managed by our National Lead Fast Bowling Coach Kevin Shine and provide an excellent opportunity for a young fast bowler to extend their cricketing education in Australia each winter. We are very grateful to the Larwood family for their co-operation and support and wish Stuart well when he departs for Australia for a three-month period early next year.”