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Three youngsters sign county internships

Three MCC university cricketers have become the first to sign internships with counties

Cricinfo staff
01-Jul-2008

Johan Malcolm will be aiming to make use of the facilities at Leicestershire © Jed Wee
 
Three MCC university cricketers have become the first to sign internships with counties. Johan Malcolm from Loughborough has joined Leicestershire, Oxford's Duncan Bradshaw heads to Essex and Cambridge's Kunal Jogia links up with Derbyshire, all on three-month internships.
The MCC will pay the players' contracts while the counties will assume responsibility for the management of the player as they undergo their extended trial.
"The internship scheme is one that suits both parties," said John Stephenson, MCC's head of cricket. "Not only can MCC help to develop university cricketers and the MCC University scheme but the county gets to work with the cream of the crop for an extended period. Players will be given a good opportunity to impress without feeling the pressure of having to produce in a one-off situation, which is what has previously happened."
Coming off the back of yesterday's MCC Universities Challenge Final victory at Lord's, Malcolm - who was born in Farnborough, Kent - is looking forward to his stint at Leicestershire.
"Having access to the superb facilities and coaching on offer at Loughborough and being part of the MCC universities scheme has undoubtedly helped my game," he said. "Having enjoyed three years as a UCCE cricketer, I am now looking forward to this extended opportunity with Leicestershire. It is up to me to demonstrate to the coaches at Leicester that my ability and attitude is right to take the next step for a career in cricket."
"Johan Malcolm was our first choice as he fits into the current profile that we are looking for," said Leicestershire coach Tim Boon. "Graham Dilley, the Loughborough UCCE head coach, gave him an excellent reference and we look forward to giving Johan an extended opportunity during the summer."