Last updated at 16:27, Friday, 21 September 2012

BARROW cricket ace Liam Livingstone is set to further his development by spending five months at a prestigious cricket academy in Australia.

A BIG HIT: Barrow batsman Liam Livingstone in action in the Northern League against Kendal this season. He will further his skills in Australia for five months CHRIS WEST REF: 50037777B000

The 19-year-old batting all-rounder, who has recently been awarded a new scholarship deal by Lancashire, flies Down Under next month to begin a stay at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy (DLCA) in Adelaide.

Since opening seven years ago, the academy has hosted a number of talented players from all around the world, including Monty Panesar, Phil Mustard, Ajmal Shahzad, Samit Patel, Scott Borthwick, Joe Root, Alex Hales and James Hildreth.

“Lancashire and the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) are sending Liam out there,” said his dad Steve.

“It’s is a massive opportunity for him and he is very excited about it.”

Former Chetwynde School pupil Livingstone, who is now based in Manchester, has enjoyed a superb 2012 cricket season and hit the winning runs when Cumberland beat Wiltshire in the final of the Minor Counties Cricket Association Trophy, earning the club their first silverware in 13 years.

He also helped a Lancashire second team – featuring the likes of Kyle Hogg and Stephen Parry – win the national 2ndXI Trophy with victory over Durham in the final and was part of the Barrow CC side that finished as runners-up in Northern Premier Cricket League Division One.

Darren Lehmann played over 100 one-day internationals and 27 tests for Australia between 1998 and 2005.

The Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy website says: “We provide a centre of excellence for participants attending from all over the world.

“Our programme provides a total life experience, not just a cricket one.

“The DLCA looks at your future within the game and provides guidance to improve and strive to achieve at your particular level.

“Players gain the benefit of utilising the South Australian Cricket Association’s High Performance programme.”

First published at 16:24, Friday, 21 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk