British Universities selection for Murtagh and Spriegel

Published 9 March 2007

Surrey‘s Chris Murtagh and Matthew Spriegel have been selected as part of the British Universities’ tour of South Africa at the end of this month.

Murtagh and Spriegel are both currently on summer contracts with the Club, allowing them to commit fully to Loughborough University, where they study and are also members of the MCC Loughborough University Centre of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE).

Loughborough is one of six universities holding the MCC cricketing initiative. The UCCE system was originally developed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) but has in the last three years been taken on by the MCC. Mathew Spriegel
Spriegel is in only his second term at Loughborough University It provides talented young cricketers with the opportunity to further their education at university at the same time developing their cricketing ability within the structure of an academy set-up.

The UCCE winter training schedule culminates with the six university teams playing three matches against first class county sides in the early part of the season. For example, Surrey are playing against Leeds/Bradford UCCE on 14-16 April (to see the remainder of Surrey’s fixtures, click here).

Murtagh is currently in his final year at Loughborough and has consistently impressed throughout his time in the UCCE. Spriegel however, is in only his second term and has been selected for the British Universities’ tour without having played any cricket, which is an outstanding effort.

Commenting on the Surrey players’ British Universities selection, Surrey’s assistant coach, Nadeem Shahid, said: “This is great news for Chris and Matthew. Touring with the British Universities team will not only be a fantastic experience but it will also offer them the perfect preparation as they build up for the start of the season.”

Everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club wishes to congratulate Chris and Matthew and wish them the very best of luck for their tour.

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