ENGLAND batsman Graeme Hick was on hand to give Magdalen College School's newly-formed cricket academy a high-profile launch.

The Worcestershire captain opened the facility at a special training session last Saturday at the Oxford school's impressive new centre for sport.

Hick coached the lads while they were batting before holding a 45-minute question and answer session and signing autographs.

Paul Askew, head of games and PE at Magdalen, said: "It was a tremendous experience for them. He was very patient and very helpful."

The Magdalen Centre for Sport boasts wonderful cricket facilities with four lanes for nets, 2000 lux lighting, bowler shock pads and two automatic bowling machines.

The latest technology in video analysis will also be used to improve the youngsters' techniques. Askew reported that Hick was suitably impressed.

"He was amazed at the facility. He couldn't believe how good it was. He said it was the best one he had seen apart from going to Edgbaston or Lord's."

Twenty of Magdalen's best cricketers will be attending a three-hour session every Saturday morning throughout the winter months.

And Hick is just the first big name who has been lined up to coach the Magdalen youngsters.

Former England off-spinner John Emburey was due to be at the school today and former England captain Mike Gatting is scheduled to pay a visit after half term.

The academy's head coach is Gary Palmer, who has been employed by Magdalen to develop and monitor the progress of the youngsters over the 20 weeks of coaching.

Askew added: "We are very lucky to have Gary leading this new sporting venture. To have the coaches Gary has lined up is fantastic for the boys, who despite their commitments in other sports are very keen to attend every Saturday morning.

"They will benefit enormously from this type of intense winter coaching and should be better players come next summer."

Fourteen of the academy's boys are already Oxfordshire county youth players and it is hoped that they will go on to higher representative cricket.