A TALENTED cricket player was invited to spend the day at Loughborough University last week to experience national coaching.

12-year-old Finn Usher, of Barnard Castle, has played cricket since he was nine and was one of 80 youngsters invited to the taster day.

Proud father and Maths teacher, Ben Usher, said: “Finn was selected to play for Durham under-12s this season, and based on his performance and improvement he was invited to the taster day at the NCPC.”

The National Cricket Performance Centre is the home of England performance programmes and is where England teams practice and prepare.

The youngsters took part in national standard training exercises whilst the parents were given talks on nutrition and drugs awareness.

His invitation said: “The aim is to expose young cricketers to a variety practices with and against other high potential players from the rest of the country.”

Finn also plays cricket for Barnard Castle and rugby for Barnard Castle School, as well football for Richmond.

His father plays cricket for Barnard Castle’s first team, and his younger brother, Oscar, 10, also plays cricket.

Mr Usher added: “It was a day to inspire the next generation to try hard and make the most of the ability they have. Finn loved it, he was exhausted as it was a really full on day but he really enjoyed it.”