FORMER New Zealand cricketer, Iain O’Brien, was the star guest at the Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy held at Bolton School.

The week-long cricket camp run by Activate Sport was boosted by a visit from the former Welllington, Middlesex and Leicestershire medium-fast bowler.

There were 52 boys and girls, aged from 5 to 14 years, from across the region enjoyed listening to O’Brien’s advice and coaching tips as he ran through a number of training sessions on the Bolton School cricket pitches and in the Sports Hall.

School spokesman John Newbould said: The group quizzed O’Brien on his life and career.

"He told them that he had started playing cricket at the age of six, spending a lot of time in the nets before starting to play competitively for a club at the age of 13. "His dream at that age had been to become a PE teacher and he had also enjoyed playing softball, football, tennis, water-polo and rugby.

"He also said his parents as being the biggest influence on his career as they encouraged him and took him to all his practices and matches."

O'Brien played 22 test matches, 10 one day internationals and 4 T20 internationals, and made his test debut in 2005 against Australia.

His international career lasted until 2009 and saw him take 73 wickets.

He finished playing professional cricket in 2012.

The New Zealand star passed on hints and tips on his preparations for matches.

Mr Newbould said: "He said he had always practised very hard – up to 40 hours a week – but also knew when and how to rest up to recuperate and to make sure he ate the right food."

O'Brien believes his best bowling figures came against the West Indies when he took 6-75 and also remembers hitting one six against Pakistan.

Mr Newbould said: "His favourite test match was against Pakistan when he played with a dislocated finger and still took wickets.

"When asked what cricketing moment he would like to re-live, he said this was against Pakistan when there was a noisy and intense crowd.

"O’Brien said his favourite wicket as being the scalp of Yousef that he took after 14 consecutive balls to the Pakistan batter."

Among his heroes included: Curtly Ambrose (West Indies), Alan Donald (South Africa), Glenn McGrath (Australia) and Martin Crowe (New Zealand).

The children were enjoying a fun filled week of cricket coaching, games and activities which includes the unique “Freddie Challenges”, small sided games, Cricket Olympics and World Cup Day. The Academy has been visiting Bolton School each summer since 2009.

Meanwhile, 35 local girls aged between seven and 14 years old were also having a week of fun and learning new skills at Activate Sport’s International Netball Roadshow, which was held at the School, making use of the netball courts and Girls’ Division’s Gymnasium.

The coaching programme was written by the England Head Coach Tracey Neville, who visited the School in the last academic year with the Girls Go Gold Conference.