The future looks bright for Maungakaramea pace bowler Tim Southee as he prepares for his first season as a professional cricketer. New Zealand Cricket appears to be fast-tracking Southee's development after he was invited to attend Dennis Lillee's Pace Bowling Academy in Chennai, India. The 18-year-old Northlander returned last week after goingthrough his paces in front of one of the greatest fast bowlers of modern cricket. "He's a bit of a character and he had a few stories for us that were quite humorous. He certainly lives life to the fullest," Southee said of his most recent mentor. Most bowlers who are invited to train personally with Lillee have already played test cricket, while Southee is still enjoying his first year out of school. The roll of honour in the academy's 20-year history is long and distinguished but recent highlights include Shane Bond, Brett Lee and Lasith "the slinger" Malinga. "He picked up on a couple of little things (in my bowling action) and hopefully I can work on them for the rest of the off season," Southee said. Southee attended a three-week training camp in Darwin, Australia - one of five Kiwi under-19 cricketers who trained with the New Zealand A team, led by James Marshall. He is one of Northern Districts' three new contracted players for the 2007-8 season, along with Kaipara Flats batsman Brad Wilson and Counties bowler Brent Arnel. Now he is looking forward to the season getting under way and is prepared to learn the hard way. Northland Cricket CEO Gary Bell backs Southee to the hilt. "He's going to be learning all the time and soaking it all up as he does, he got a great head on his shoulders for someone so young, he just gets on and plays and doesn't get overawed by anything," Bell said. But if Southee has a lot to get used to this season, he also is thinking about the ICC under-19 World Cup in Singapore in February ... and now as a pro, he'll be doing some coaching as well. Southee will work with Karl Treiber at a junior coaching clinic at Cobham Oval and Bell said the young bowler will be one of the big drawcards. * Coaching programme Northland Cricket's is holding a school holiday cricket programme at Cobham Oval. Sessions are: 7-9 years (Yr 5/6) Sept 24-25, 9am-noon; 10-12 yrs (Yr 7/8) Sept 26-27, 9am-noon; 13-14 yrs (Yr 9/10) Sept 28-29 9am-noon. Cost: $30 for two coaching mornings. Register at Northland Cricket or phone Judy on 4382400.
