COUNTY CRICKET

HAVING spent his first-class career as a wicket-keeper, Barry Hyam is now ensuring that up-and-coming Essex cricket prospects are in safe hands as he is playing a key part in grooming the stars of tomorrow.

He has now taken up performance manager's post and his input is certainly welcomed by John Childs, the Essex academy director.

"It's a huge bonus to have someone in that position who is not only an ex-player but who has worked with the squad over the previous two years," he said.

"This meant he already had a good knowledge of our winter programme so needed less time to slot in than may have otherwise been the case.

"When you consider what comes under the banner of Performance Manager - all age group cricket, coaches and managers, fixtures, district cricket and women's and girls cricket - you need a special person with Barry's talent.

"He will also feature in a playing capacity as captain of the development side in 50 over games, and I'm sure having someone on the field with his experience will prove invaluable."

Romford-born Hyam, 32, had a first-class career spanning nine years with the county having represented Essex for many years in the Second XI championship from the age of 16.

He progressed into the first team and made 61 first-class appearances taking 181 victims and scoring 1,409 runs.

The Essex Academy is vital to their future and fast bowling prospects Maurice Chambers, Tony Palladino and Mervyn Westfield - all who have played club cricket for Wanstead - came through the academy scheme.

"There is no greater supporter of it than Nigel Hilliard, the Essex chairman," said Childs.

"A criticism levelled at our coaching system some years ago was that lads selected for the England U19 side failed to make the grade at county level.

"But more recently Alastair Cook and Ravinder Bopara have moved rapidly into the Test arena and we can take enormous satisfaction from that.

"It is a long time since any county had two 22-year-old batsmen playing for England together and that is a tribute to them and our coaching staff.

"Essex is committed to using the academy system to nurture talent and is very proud of the fact that 14 of our first team squad are home grown."

There will be plenty of action at Chelmsford this month, starting with warm-up games against Middlesex this Thursday and Friday, and Worcestershire on April 9 and 10.

The first serious test comes with the visit of Northamptonshire for a Championship duel starting on April 16, while the county's first taste of one-day action will be provided by Sussex in the Friends Provident Trophy on April 27.