NZ conditioning trip for Norwell

By Richard Latham

Liam Norwell has joined Gloucestershire team-mates Ed Young, James Fuller and Ian Cockbain in plying his trade abroad this winter.

The young pace bowler flew to New Zealand recently to represent Wellington club Karori and benefit from playing outdoors at a time when the County Ground in Bristol resembles a building site because of redevelopment work.

Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said: “Karori are a premier club in Wellington and their ground is a first-class venue so Liam will have the chance to perform on good pitches. He will hopefully get plenty of sunshine and the opportunity to get some conditioning in before reporting back for pre-season with us.”

Fellow seamer Fuller and batsman Cockbain are also in New Zealand, with Fuller doing well in Otago’s Twenty20 team as a second overseas player to Essex's Ryan ten Doeschate.

Cockbain is based in Christchurch playing for Marist Harewood CC, while Young is spending a second winter in Australia, training and playing in Adelaide.

Norwell’s hugely promising start to his Gloucestershire career was interrupted by a stress fracture in his back, but he is now fully fit and looking forward to a big summer with the county.

Bracewell added: “Liam ticked all the boxes fitness-wise before we let him go to New Zealand and he has looked very good in practice."

Date: 15/01/2013 17:07:56 by Richard Latham
In: Today | Gloucestershire |