Isle of Wight raised Calvin Dickinson has taken a break from his physiotherapy studies at an Oxford university to break into First Class cricket with Hampshire.
The 20-year old is one of four young players recently awarded scholarships and is currently training full-time at the Ageas Bowl alongside fellow in-takes Ben Duggan, Jake Goodwin and Josh McCoy.
The four youngsters will link up with former Hampshire head coach Dale Benkenstein in Durban in January to continue their preparation for the 2017 county season.
Whereas Ventnor left-hand opener Ben Duggan, T20 debutant Goodwin and England Under-19 all-rounder McCoy are familiar names, Dickinson is a new kid on the blocks as far as Hampshire supporters are concerned.
A batsman/wicketkeeper, Dickinson caught Hampshire’s eye when he played against them for Essex in a Second XI Championship match at Coggeshall in August.
He hit a boundary strewn 97 before being bowled by off-spinner Brad Taylor with a century at his finger tips.
That was one of three big scores Dickinson made for Essex seconds for whom he played at the end of the Oxford Brookes summer term.
Having helped Brookes win the BUCS 50-over Cup at Lord’s, he made several appearances for the MCC Universities, hitting a career-best 185 (with his side in trouble at 19-4) against a strong Warwickshire 2nd XI at Edgbaston.
Hampshire’s Director of Cricket Giles White said: “Calvin is someone we are pleased to have on board, having performed well for Oxford MCCU and the MCC Universities this summer.”
Dickinson previously spent six of his teenage years at Ryde School on the Isle of Wight, where he played Hampshire League cricket for the town club and was a regular choice for the Island’s junior representative sides.
He hit an unbeaten 116 in one Ryde match against Ellingham – at just 13 years of age !
“My father (Peter) took five wickets later in the same match, so he had to dig deep for a few celebratory drinks at the bar afterwards,” Calvin laughed.
He went on to explain: “My parents are both school teachers, so when they were appointed to posts in Oxford I moved off the island and went to St Edward’s School.
“I sat my A-levels there before moving across to Brookes to study physiotherapy.
“I really enjoyed my time on the island. It’s remarkable how many quality cricketers have emerged from there: hopefully, I’ll be the next.”
Dickinson smashed the school batting record during his final term at St Edward’s, cracking 181 against Oratory.
He has spent the past two summers playing in the Home Counties Premier League Second Division and was leading run scorer for Shipton-Under-Wychwood this year.
He will play in the locally based British Gas Southern Premier League next season.
Dickinson, along with the bulk of the Hampshire squad, is now three weeks into a tough and gruelling winter training regime at the Ageas Bowl.
“The cardio and gym training has been pretty intense, but rewarding. My body ached all over during the first week, but it’s not so bad now.
“We’ve been netting hard. All in all its been very enjoyable – marginally more so than studying,” he laughed.
The 20-year old is one of four young players recently awarded scholarships and is currently training full-time at the Ageas Bowl alongside fellow in-takes Ben Duggan, Jake Goodwin and Josh McCoy.
The four youngsters will link up with former Hampshire head coach Dale Benkenstein in Durban in January to continue their preparation for the 2017 county season.
Whereas Ventnor left-hand opener Ben Duggan, T20 debutant Goodwin and England Under-19 all-rounder McCoy are familiar names, Dickinson is a new kid on the blocks as far as Hampshire supporters are concerned.
A batsman/wicketkeeper, Dickinson caught Hampshire’s eye when he played against them for Essex in a Second XI Championship match at Coggeshall in August.
He hit a boundary strewn 97 before being bowled by off-spinner Brad Taylor with a century at his finger tips.
That was one of three big scores Dickinson made for Essex seconds for whom he played at the end of the Oxford Brookes summer term.
Having helped Brookes win the BUCS 50-over Cup at Lord’s, he made several appearances for the MCC Universities, hitting a career-best 185 (with his side in trouble at 19-4) against a strong Warwickshire 2nd XI at Edgbaston.
Hampshire’s Director of Cricket Giles White said: “Calvin is someone we are pleased to have on board, having performed well for Oxford MCCU and the MCC Universities this summer.”
Dickinson previously spent six of his teenage years at Ryde School on the Isle of Wight, where he played Hampshire League cricket for the town club and was a regular choice for the Island’s junior representative sides.
He hit an unbeaten 116 in one Ryde match against Ellingham – at just 13 years of age !
“My father (Peter) took five wickets later in the same match, so he had to dig deep for a few celebratory drinks at the bar afterwards,” Calvin laughed.
He went on to explain: “My parents are both school teachers, so when they were appointed to posts in Oxford I moved off the island and went to St Edward’s School.
“I sat my A-levels there before moving across to Brookes to study physiotherapy.
“I really enjoyed my time on the island. It’s remarkable how many quality cricketers have emerged from there: hopefully, I’ll be the next.”
Dickinson smashed the school batting record during his final term at St Edward’s, cracking 181 against Oratory.
He has spent the past two summers playing in the Home Counties Premier League Second Division and was leading run scorer for Shipton-Under-Wychwood this year.
He will play in the locally based British Gas Southern Premier League next season.
Dickinson, along with the bulk of the Hampshire squad, is now three weeks into a tough and gruelling winter training regime at the Ageas Bowl.
“The cardio and gym training has been pretty intense, but rewarding. My body ached all over during the first week, but it’s not so bad now.
“We’ve been netting hard. All in all its been very enjoyable – marginally more so than studying,” he laughed.
