Former England cricket captain visits St Albans

FORMER England cricket captain Alec Stewart has met Harpenden Paralympic ace David Clarke while visiting St Albans.

Alec, the most capped England cricketer, recently hosted an answer and question session, focusing on his experiences leading the national team, with local business people and private banking customers of Clydesdale Bank in St Albans.

A key part of the event session focused on how to get the best performance out of ambitious and talented people to build a winning team.

Skipper of the GB blind football squad during the recent Paralympics, David Clarke, who is also head of the business and private banking centre at the branch, described Alec as inspirational.

He added: “Alec is one of those people who when he talks, people listen. His stories of life in the England dressing room and on the cricket pitch with many of the country’s greatest players show how inspirational he was as a leader and [this is] relevant to the business community.”

While in the county, Alec also visited the University of Hertfordshire in neighbouring Hatfield, where he hosted a training session for leading cricketers.

David said: “The time spent with the students shows that he has an amazing ability to connect with young players. Every one of them was eager to listen, learn and improve their performance.”

Nick Brooking, director of sport at the university, said: “The students seized the opportunity to get some great tips and guidance, which I’m sure will bear fruit come next year’s cricket season.

“A big thank you must also go to David Clarke, who is a longstanding friend of the university and, like Alec, a sporting inspiration to many.”

• Clydesdale Bank has previously been official partner of the domestic Twenty20 competition and has established links with various county and individual players.