HADLEIGH and Thundersley Cricket Club warmed up for the new season by following in the foot-steps of the England international team.

Hadleigh’s players trained in the nets at Loughborough MCCU, just like England did before heading out to the West Indies.

And Hadleigh bowler David Williams admitted it had been a great experience.

“We had full use of all the facilities for three hours and it was special to be using the same facilities as the current England players would have used to practise before their tour to the West Indies,” said Williams.

“Our first team captain Adam Soilleux used to play for Loughborough so that’s how it came around and 18 of us made the trip.

“There was a mixture of first team players, second team, third team and fourth plus a small group of under 15s and everyone really enjoyed it.”

Hadleigh start their new season on Saturday April 25 with a league cup game against Southend & EMT before the league campaign starts on Saturday May 9.