WITH just six weeks to go until the start of the new Cornwall League campaign, some of the Duchy's most talented young cricketers are heading to Sri Lanka for some pre-season training in the sun.

A 26-strong party from Truro College Cricket Academy will depart for Colombo next Thursday for eight days of intensive coaching at one of the top grounds in Sri Lanka.

Thirteen players have been selected to make the trip, including Cornwall's youngest ever Minor Counties player, Taylor Williams from St Austell CC, who is also on the Nottinghamshire Academy, Premier league players Paul Smith (Werrington) and Jake Libby (Callington), plus players from several other Cornish clubs including Falmouth, Truro, Newquay and Hayle.

The tour will be headed by Sean Hooper, the diirector of Truro College Cricket Academy, with academy coaches Chris Hunkin and Nigel Sanders also travelling.

"It's is a very exciting opportunity for all of the players," said Hooper, the veteran Cornwall League batsman who is currently captain at St Austell. "They will be embarking on an intense and high quality training camp using fabulous outdoor facilities and local coaches and practising against high quality cricketers; particularly spin bowlers.

"This can only benefit the development of our young players and ultimately the standard of cricket in Cornwall as a whole. It's a very exciting opportunity for all of the players and I look forward to seeing how they cope with the challenging weather and cricket conditions they will come up against – they need to be working outside of their comfort zones to really develop fully."

Truro College are currently South West champions both indoors and outdoors and open their 2010 campaign against Truro School in the new Under-17 National 40-over competition and Hooper said of the looming trip: "It should be an unforgettable trip with a high quality, intense cricket coaching environment and great preparation for the 2010 season."

Hooper, meanwhile, is on the lookout for a first-team scorer at St Austell following the death last year of Brian 'Condor' Holder.

Steve Raven has been fulfilling the role, but he has decided to play again and will captain the club's fourth team with a view to helping develop some of the club's younger players

Hooper said: "There is no payment for the role, but a really good cricket tea is provided!"

Anyone interested is asked to contact Hooper on 07782187463 or you can email him direct at: sales@thecornishcricketcompany.co.uk.