Ex-England star's unusual methods help cricket 'explode' at Seaford College

Former Sussex captain holds winter training in a marquee, among other innovations

Seaford College is unusual for a school – they conduct their winter training in a marquee, housing three lanes of artificial wickets.

It is just one of the innovations introduced by Chris Adams, the former England international and County Championship-winning captain of Sussex, during his six years at the West Sussex college.

"Cricket has absolutely exploded here, in the best possible sense," said Adams.

"We've tripled the number of teams we’re putting out – which is a challenge, but the best possible one. We’re having to change our fixtures because some of the opposition were unable to put C and D teams against us.

"Like many other cricket schools, we’re now starting to attract some highly talented cricketers to join us in sixth form. We’ve had two bowlers join the Sussex Academy and now have two more not far off Surrey Academy.

^{Seaford College have tripled the number of teams they are fielding}

"But we’re not as focused on being the best school in a 50-mile radius, or whatever it is. The main thing is to take your pupils as far as each of them can go with your cricket.

"When I first came in, I brought in all the drills I’d used in professional cricket, but I swiftly realised I'd have to do things a bit differently because 99 per cent of kids aren't focused on becoming a professional cricketer.

"And it’s funny how it’s cyclical. You have strong age groups and less strong ones. We had one year with Luc Benkenstein and Charlie Tear. Hurstpierpoint had something similar with a crop of their players.

"Here, we try to keep all our year groups together until the best players reach year 11.”

^{Sussex and Surrey Academy players have joined the school in sixth-form}

Girls' cricket at Seaford continues to grow exponentially.

With Chris's daughter Georgia captaining the local regional side Southern Vipers to a domestic double alongside the legendary Charlotte Edwards, Adams has an enviable insight into the trajectory of women’s and girls' cricket.

"Charlotte and Georgia actually came in here for a day with us, passing on some of their knowledge, and the best thing for us is that they turned round and said: 'We've actually taken a lot from you that we can put back into our system'.

"We’re lucky to have such great links to Vipers and Sussex age groups.

"I can tell you, girls' cricket is going to be ginormous in three to six years' time – it’s going to absolutely take off in schools across the country."