Miles hoping to earn England Lions place
10 November 2015
Craig Miles hopes his performances on an England Performance Programme (EPP) training camp will help him force his way into the Lions team to face Pakistan A this winter.
The 21-year-old seamer will join up with England’s second string squad in Dubai on November 24 following 10 days with EPP Lead Fast Bowling Coach Kevin Shine in South Africa.
He said: “With England having suffered a few injuries, players from the Lions could be called up which means there might be a few places available – especially for bowlers.
“If I can train well then there might be a chance to stay out there and be involved against Pakistan A.”
Craig is one of six young fast bowlers training in Potchesfroom from November 11 to 23 before heading to the UAE to help an experienced Lions squad prepare for the five match T20 series.
The touring party – which will be led by Andy Flower – features a number of full internationals including Sam Billings, Chris Jordan, Stephen Parry, Reece Topley and David Willey.
But Craig says he is feeling confident after a season that saw him take 46 County Championship victims and establish himself in the shorter forms of the game.
He said: “I haven’t played that much white ball cricket but I definitely feel I have the skills to perform in it. I didn’t feel out of my depth when I played last season and I feel I can play all formats.
“It would be great to experience the step up of playing T20 against an international A side and I will be working hard to try and earn my opportunity.
Prior to leaving for South Africa, Craig took part in a four-day training camp at England’s Performance Centre at Loughborough.
As well as improving his fitness and honing his cricket skills he also took part in problem-solving and leadership day at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
Craig and the rest of the Lions and EPP squad were divided into small groups and put through their paces by former army officer and leadership expert Gemma Morgan.
The players were given a series of practical tasks to perform against the clock, including a task involved them rigging up a pulley system between two trees in order to transport coloured tyres to designated areas.
Craig - who was in a team with James Vince, Zafar Ansari, Ross Whiteley, Liam Dawson and Joe Clarke - said: “It was an interesting day and put a focus on things like leadership, team-building and communication.
“On the cricket pitch I am the kind of person who would have an idea but might not always speak up.
“Gemma reinforced the fact that it doesn’t matter whether you are right or wrong – you should express your ideas. Sometimes they might be considered by the group and other times they might spark an idea in someone else.
“This is definitely something I will take with me onto the field.”
This is the third winter that Craig has been involved in the England Performance Programme.
He could be in contention to make the England Lions squad that returns to Dubai to play a five-match one-day series against Pakistan ‘A’ in January.
