Andy Hurry Director of Cricket, Somerset CCC
I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to return to the Club as Director of Cricket aft er a
short period with the England Young Lions programme. The three years away have provided me with
the opportunity to gain a bett er understanding of the pressures, demands and skills required to succeed
in the Internati onal game. It was an easy decision for me to return to Somerset when I considered the
quality and potenti al of the playing squad, and the experti se of the coaching and sports science and
medical staff to support the development of the players to reach their potenti al. I’m ambiti ous and I
truly believe in the potenti al of Somerset to achieve its aspirati ons of developing players through the
pathway, winning trophies and building long term success.
A long list of players has been developed through Devon’s pathway that have progressed via Somerset’s
Academy and 2nd XI cricket, and have gone on to make signifi cant contributi ons in the 1st Class, List A
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and t20 cricket for the Club. It is a great refl ecti on on the Devon system - through the commitment of parents, coaches and administrators and
the challenging competi ti ve opportuniti es of the Devon Cricket League - that a number of players progress so eff ecti vely to successful professional
careers.
There has been a strong connecti on between Devon and Somerset for many years and this link is a primary focus for us to develop now, and in the
future. Over the last few years, we have worked collaborati vely with Devon to ensure we are providing appropriate opportuniti es outside the 1st
Class game. Within Minor Counti es’ competi ti ons, young players are able to perform in 3-day and 50 over cricket which is such an important part
of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s “Player Pathway” strategy to the professional game. As you are aware, in recent years several Devon
players have progressed to this stage and beyond, in some cases becoming established county cricketers.
Minor Counti es’ cricket also provides us with the opportunity to give identi fi ed Somerset players the appropriate opportuniti es to further develop
their game, exposes them to key roles within teams, and stretches them in tough cricketi ng competi ti on. For us to achieve our aims successfully,
we need to ensure we are communicati ng eff ecti vely with Devon and it is appreciated that openness, understanding and fl exibility have to be
demonstrated by Devon personnel so that players’ long-term development needs are addressed.
With this relati onship growing all the ti me, there is of course mutual benefi t to both parti es. We really value the opportunity players have to grow
their game and conti nue their connecti on with Devon cricket. It also allows us to have conti nued awareness of the talent coming through the
Devon pathway and presents us with the opportunity to give Devon players and coaches graded exposure to our environment, so we can share
knowledge and experti se.
Andy Hurry Director of Cricket, Somerset CCC