DURHAM’S Ned Eckersley has been lifting the lid on the science and training techniques that lie behind his mastery of the wicketkeeping art.

In the latest of a series of exclusive videos released on The Northern Echo’s website in association with Durham CCC and the club’s principal sponsor, Vertu Motors, Eckersley describes the work that goes into preparing for action as a wicketkeeper.

The 32-year-old joined Durham from Leicestershire in 2019, and has outlined how advances in video technology have transformed a wicketkeeper’s training regime.

“There are real intricacies that we go into now to study the game,” said Eckersley. “We study the opposition, but every single game we play now is videoed, so I can watch myself wicketkeeping from five years ago to see the difference.

“Whether it be a big difference or an inch, whatever it is, it’s only good for us as players to see how good we can get to. Now we know the advances we can make, I think every keeper is now enjoying a bit more time and a bit more respect for the job.”

While batsmen and bowlers can combine for a series of well-rehearsed training drills, being a wicketkeeper tends to be a more solitary experience, with the technical minutiae of positioning and movement constantly being monitored and reassessed in an attempt to elicit the smallest of improvements.

“You tend not to get that game practice that bowling and batting comes with, it’s a lot more individual time with just a coach,” explained Eckersley. “It’s very drill-based, with lots of technical stuff, and it takes a lot of dedication to the small things, the craft of the wicketkeeping position.

“Your position, your posture, all that kind of stuff – that’s the one per-centers that we look for in wicketkeeping practice.”

* The full video, ‘Ned Eckersley: It’s All In The Detail’ is available to watch on The Northern Echo’s website (www.northernecho.co.uk) – produced by Durham CCC with Vertu Motors.