Ellis-Grewal keen to impress on MCC scheme

Wanstead captain Joe Ellis-Grewal in action for Leeds-Bradford MCCU (Image: Archant)

IF Joe Ellis-Grewal is to follow in the footsteps of former England skipper Andrew Strauss and capitalise on his selection for the MCC University programme, he admits there is no time like the present.

The 23-year-old slow left-arm orthodox bowler, who plays for Wanstead and Snaresbrook CC, is currently studying for a masters in global development at the University of Leeds while receiving top-level coaching and playing opportunities with the Leeds and Bradford MCCU cricket academy.

Ellis-Grewal’s position on the scheme means he is in fine company as England and Nottinghamshire star Harry Gurney is another to have risen to success off the back of an MCCU career as has Ashes winner Strauss.

After being selected for the combined MCCU side that toured Abu Dhabi in March, he took four wickets in a first-class clash with Sussex, a performance that saw him offered a visit to Durham.

And while those successes have given him a platform to build on, Ellis-Grewal understands the importance of impressing at every turn as the season progresses.

“We had a really good trip to Abu Dhabi, and then as soon as we came back I played for Northamptonshire against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, and then I was playing for the MCCU against Sussex,” he recalls.

“It all happens so quickly, and once you’re into it you are really into it. You have got to be quick on your feet with it all and take your chances, otherwise you are three or four games in and you haven’t really done much to attract any of the county sides.

“It was a great experience out with the combined side – it was beneficial to get the time out in the middle, and you can’t really complain playing in that weather when a lot of my teammates were playing against Leicestershire in like five degree temperatures or something like that.

“You are at the university to obtain a degree, but you also have those aspirations of becoming a cricketer, so aspects such as time management and the skills that studying teaches you are fantastic things to have picked up if you do into professional cricket.

“I don’t think I would be anywhere near this position if it wasn’t for the MCCU, my game has developed quite late so without this opportunity I’m not sure what would have happened.

“Last year I had never played second team cricket for a county, but then I managed to take over 30 wickets for the seconds at several counties. I am very grateful for it all.”

Since 2005 the MCC has funded and administered six university cricket academies in England and Wales, including the Leeds/Bradford outfit, giving each MCCU £92,700 per year to run their playing programmes.

Ellis-Grewal is not the only representative from the area on the scheme either with wicketkeeper Jonathan Das, who is from Leytonstone, also bidding to make his breakthrough in the cricketing world.

And having spent time away from the stumps last year, the 21-year-old University of Leeds international relations student is determined to seize the opportunity.

“This is my second year, but I didn’t play at all last year so I’m looking to break into the side now,” he said.

“We have a great opportunity to play cricket against top players on the MCCU scheme, and that is a big part of why this is such a fantastic system.

“We can challenge ourselves against professional cricketers and it encourages us, as it shows we can compete with them and that there’s not a massive gap there.

“It’s ideal really as we can play and get our degree at the same time. We’re all aspiring cricketers but not everyone will make it and it is so important to have something to fall back on.”

MCC funds six cricket academies in England and Wales incorporating 13 institutions. The MCC Universities offer the best environment to obtain a degree which will be valuable whether the dream of professional cricket becomes reality or not.