CRICKET/News: Former Test stars Mike Gatting and Neil Foster will head the European Cricket Council (ECC) coaching road-show when it is staged in Dublin over the coming weekend. Starting tomorrow batting, bowling and fielding clinics will be staged at King's Hospital School over the three days, while an umpiring seminar and special clinics for all levels of coaching will be staged at Clontarf CC.
The activity begins at King's Hospital where Gatting and Foster will assist coach Richard Davies in a session with the Ireland women's squad at 7.30 p.m. tomorrow. The women's squad are the reigning European champions.
On Saturday morning at King's Hospital Foster will conduct a bowling clinic for 12 of Ireland's most promising young seam bowlers, while Gatting will give a practical session in the art of playing spin bowling for a selected group of up-and-coming batsmen.
Meanwhile, at Clontarf CC, first class and one-day international umpire Neil Mallander will lead a discussion on umpiring at county and Test levels.
The programme will conclude on Sunday with a series of lectures at King's Hospital, from 2.0 p.m. to 5.0 p.m. The session will include an overview of the European Development Programme by Ian Stuart, latest coaching techniques will be outlined by Brian Kelleher, while the Leinster Cricket Union's Development Officer Brian O'Rourke will demonstrate fielding drills for young players.
Mike Gatting made 79 Test appearances for England, hitting 10 centuries as well as 21 half-centuries, and since he retired has moved into coaching. Neil Foster played in 29 Tests in a 10-year career. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1988.
Sachin Tendulkar of India will take to the field against Zimbabwe in Delhi today looking to match the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. Tendulkar, playing in his 91st Test, needs just one more Test century to equal the 29 amassed by the Australian.
The former Indian captain hit number 28 in the first Test against Zimbabwe to inspire his side to victory by an innings and 101 runs.
Bradman, who died 12 months ago, is second only to Tendulkar's compatriot Sunil Gavaskar in the all-time list of Test century makers. Gavaskar racked up 34 in 125 Tests, while Bradman needed just 52 Tests to make his 29 - 19 of which were against England.
