Cameron Mirza becomes first USA junior cricketer to sign a contract with Gray Nicolls

Cameron Mirza - USA U15, NY U15 and NY U19 player - became the first USA born junior cricketer to receive a contract from Gray Nicolls when he signed a 2 year deal with the equipment maker. Cameron Mirza had previously won the Reebok Best USA Cricketer award at the Nuware NJ Twenty20 2008. So this is another feather in Cameron's hat.

After the successful Summer Camp that Ian Pont did at DreamCricket Academy in New Jersey, Mr. Pont continued to be in touch with most of the participants. Cameron, who had been training through the winter with Coach Linden Fraser at DreamCricket Academy decided to go over to England in February for a short training stint with Coach Pont at the Mavericks Cricket Institute facility in Sawbridgeworth, UK.

While in UK, Cameron attended a series of advanced cricket workshops to develop his batting under the watchful eyes of Coaches Ian Pont and Grant Flowers - an MCI Coach orginally from Zimbabwe who has 67 test matches and 219 ODIs. At the end of the workshop, Coach Grant Flowers said: "Cameron has an impressive technique and a passion for improvement."

Coach Ian said, "Cameron has been treated like any other talented English player and been given the opportunity to enjoy some of the best facilities we have to offer. He's been a joy to work with, as he was at our initial session last summer at DreamCricket Academy. I know he'll take away what he's learned to help him evolve his career even further."

Their words rang true when the Cricket Promotions Manager at Gray Nicolls took a look at the young American cricketer during a training session and asked MCI to put together a video story of Cameron's batting from his sessions in England. The Coach and his student put together the video before Cameron's return and all was forgotten.

Cameron returned to USA mid-February to continue his training under Coach Linden Fraser. Exactly two weeks later, Cameron was thrilled to receive an equipment contract from Gray Nicolls.

Cameron couldn't believe it when he saw the letter from Gray Nicolls. Speaking to DreamCricket.com, he said "I am thrilled to receive this kind of recognition and support. I have always aspired to become a professional cricketer and I would like to thank my coaches at Tri State Youth Development, at DreamCricket Academy and my MCI coaches for helping me along this path."

Cameron's school, Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, has been very cooperative in allowing him time off for his cricket development. "My principal Mr. Frank Howlett has been very supportive of my chosen path. My teachers emailed my assignments so that I could keep up with school while still training in England."

Coach Ian Pont is looking forward to conduct the summer camp at DreamCricket Academy in New Jersey again beginning July 26th. Please visit the DreamCricket Academy or contact sales @ dreamcricket.com for more information.