In cricket, we often talk about cover drives, pull shots, and big sixes. But long before any of that happens, there is one critical moment that determines everything that follows - your setup . In this session, Raj Chaudhuri breaks down one of the most important - and often overlooked - aspects of batting: the starting position. This discussion is particularly aimed at young cricketers aged 11–12 , who are just beginning their cricket journey. At this stage, habits are formed

In this First Class Cricket Academy (FCCA) discussion, Raj Chaudhuri and Harry share their journey from playing First Class cricket in India to coaching in England for over two decades. Both bring genuine playing pedigree - Raj representing Tripura and East Zone , and Harry representing Delhi in India’s First Class system - before building long-term coaching careers in the UK. Their experience on both sides of the cricketing world gives them a unique perspective on how the

Raj Explaining Top Hand Extension In this video, Raj Chaudhuri explains the correct technique for top hand extension in batting - one of the most important fundamentals for improving timing, especially when playing on the front foot. One of the most common questions young cricketers ask is: “How do you time the ball properly?” Timing isn’t about power. It isn’t about swinging harder. And it certainly isn’t about trying to hit the ball early. According to Raj, true timing com

As our 13-week run of winter coaching comes to an end for 2025 this weekend, we would like to thank our sponsors, SP Commissioning. SP Commissioning have been supporting us for three years now. The aim of their sponsorship is to allow talented state school children from 11 to 18, who otherwise would not be able to practise enough, to improve their skills with us. Each year SP Commissioning have sponsored 26 weeks of a 3-hour group session which benefits 16 youngers chosen by

First Class Cricket Academy has linked up with former ECB Head of Coach Development Nathan Wood and his company CricketMind to provide access to specialist online mindset coaching and sports psychology for our cricketers. As part of this collaboration, for every FCCA player who signs up with CricketMind, they will get 10% off their initial booking. Nathan Wood spent six years working with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), initially as International and Specialist Coa

First Class Cricket Academy is delighted to have established a link-up with multiservice provider Utility Warehouse. UW offers some of the UK’s cheapest energy deals and you can unlock more savings on your energy when you also switch your broadband and mobile plans to UW. Anyone signing up to UW through First Class Cricket Academy will get significant savings on their bills which will help them fund the cost of their child’s coaching through the academy. Stuart Ritchie and hi

Thanks to the generosity of CricCounty Stores six promising FCCA players have been presented with free kit for the season ahead. FCCA is...

As we reflect on a great 2024 for First Class Cricket Academy and look forward to even more success in 2025, we can reveal our new coaching structure. Raj Chaudhuri remains Head Coach, supported by Theo Rivers (pictured) as Head of Boys’ Pathway and Darren Jordan as Head of Women and Girls’ Coaching. Hari Chaudhary is Head of Spin Bowling while Oli De Havas is Junior Coach and Social Media Producer.

Congratulations FCCA player Rahul Tangirala who recently made his first grade debut in Australia in a two-day game for St George who play...

Congratulations to our head coach Raj who is also head of cricket at Worth School. Worth has been named in The Cricketer magazine’s top...

FCCA player George McLoughlin has been taken on by the Surrey Academy ahead of the 2025 season. This is a tremendous achievement by...