The junior cricketers of St Edward’s were privileged to receive a visit from Alec Stewart yesterday as part of the Clydesdale Bank Ambassador programme. England’s most capped Test cricketer oversaw their training session and gave some useful tips to the boys on their cricket. Following the session he spent an hour answering their questions and signing autographs. In the wake of the Kevin Pieterson crisis with the ECB, Alec handled all questions in that area with a ‘straight bat’ and with good humour. Jamie Curtis, whose father played with Alec at Surrey, asked “does England need a manager or a coach?”. Alec discussed the difference in coaching techniques and managing the different personalities within a dressing room. Freddie Williams asked if he would dread facing the likes of Malcom Marshall and the great quick bowlers of the 1990’s; Alec said he “enjoyed the challenge” and said the best way to prepare for a challenge is to “always take the attitude that you are good enough”. He said he hoped that Malcom Marshall would wake up “dreading that he was going to have to bowl at Alec Stewart that day”. Alec was hugely personable and the boys took a great deal from the occasion. What a treat.
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