The MCC cricketers have concluded schooling us on our local soil. There were valuable lessons that should have been gained and hopefully all parties have taken it all in.This tour allowed our young cricketers an opportunity to play against quality opposition with the hope of gaining invaluable knowledge. I managed to catch up with MCC player Christopher Thompson who agreed to answer a few questions, but first here is his story.Thompson, aged 24, has been playing cricket ever since he could walk, watching his dad play every Saturday and Sunday.At the age of 13, Christopher played for Surrey County Cricket Club, focusing more on bowling than batting as he was recognised as being pretty quick for his age. At 15 he was selected to join their academy realising at that point that he had serious potential and decided to take the game as more than just a hobby, but possibly a career.With this goal in mind, Christopher buckled down with his training and was recognised as one of the fastest bowlers in the country resulting in him being selected to represent South England Under-15s.He played his first Surrey 2nd XI game at age 16 against Essex. He actually opened the batting because the original opener had hurt his hand while fielding, so he bravely put his hand up to open the innings, not knowing that it was going to be the start of something big and more to come.He only scored 16 but it felt like the best 16 runs of his life. He then signed for Surrey at age 17 for two years and represented England Under-19s, playing against Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.Leaving Surrey in 2006, he signed with Leicester County Cricket Club in 2009 but was later released due to the financial position of the club. This year he played a season in Jamaica for Kingston Cricket Club, trying something different to gain experience playing in different conditions.Now he is touring with the MCC, the oldest cricket club in the world with the focus of promoting the game of cricket, ensuring the game is played in the right spirit. When MCC are not playing they are coaching or visiting local areas in the hope of helping to develop the game. The team is comprised of a mixture of current professionals, ex-professional and local league players.Q: How did you go about joining and playing with the MCC?A: I am currently not a full member of MCC. For me to become a full playing member the requirement is to play 10 games in three years and I have played nine so far. To apply to become a member you can go on the website and apply, it’s that easy.Q: From what you have seen of Bermuda cricket what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the players?A: From what I have seen so far of the players I have played against I am impressed. I know there is a new development programme currently taking place and with there being new leadership, I know the full potential is not too far behind.At the moment I see the Bermuda team have a quite a few young players which is a good thing because you have new fresh legs on the park and also it enables the coach to spend a bit more time with each player to get the maximum out of them.The bad side is that the team is inexperienced, so when you play against sides like MCC with players who have been at the top or even played a considerable amount of first class cricket you will get outplayed. The way around that is when you do come up against opposition like this, take note of what they do and also ask a lot of questions.A few points I have picked up on is, it is very important as a batsman to put a value on his wicket especially at the top of the order. Forget the big shots early on and get used to the pitch you are playing on, give yourself a chance to score runs and that will help your team to do well. Fifty overs is a very long time so be patient and also keep wickets in hand. What I have seen is a lot of the batsmen come in playing big shots from ball one, not giving themselves a chance to score runs. It might work one or two times, but you need to have a plan that will allow you to score runs consistently.The bowling has been really good. As we are new to the conditions in Bermuda it hasn’t been easy playing the spinners especially with the bounce and turn you get out here. A few bowling points would be, always check your field before you bowl, make sure you have your fielders in the right places and bowl according to your field. As you go up levels you will find the better players will take advantage on slightly wrong field placing.The biggest downfall I’ve seen in the bowling department is when it comes to the power plays how many runs are you conceding. Like I mentioned before, have a look at your field before bowling and try to master the different variations i.e. slower balls, arm balls, yorkers, bouncers and use them according to the situations.I have been very impressed with the standard of fielding. I like the way the guys have caught the ball, dived around especially the infield, that’s where you can save at least 25 runs per game which is a lot of runs in limited overs cricket, along with good tight bowling.All the points I have mentioned so far are things that we never stop learning throughout our playing career. Nobody in the world has mastered them all but some are very good at implementing them at different times. I do believe Bermuda has a very good crop of players who are very capable of competing on the world stage. It takes the individual to believe in their ability, train hard, make the right decisions and as a collective it will come together.Q: Honestly speaking, what is your opinion about the standard of our wickets?A: The wickets we have played on so far have been very bouncy and they spin a lot, probably a bit too much of both. Although they have been a bit invariable it is still a nice place to bat, and once you get used to the conditions i.e. taking your time and assessing the pace and bounce, it gets easier.Q: I noticed you scored a few runs. Have you been satisfied with your tour and what has been the reason behind your success?A: I have been very pleased with my tour. I have scored a few runs which is a bonus but what I am happier with is the way I have approached my innings, and also getting to know my game, which is something I have been working on for a while. I’m always looking at ways to add to my game. I’m always hitting balls in the nets and speaking to coaches, asking them what they think, watching current players seeing how they do things, and it’s paying off. I’ve had a good season this year and I do believe success is around the corner.Q: Off the field, with this being your first time in Bermuda what is your impression of our Island and what has been the highlight of your tour outside of cricket?A: When I got the call to come to Bermuda, I did not know what to expect but as soon as we landed we got a very warm welcome both from the local people and the weather, which is always a good thing. I think you have such a beautiful country full of wonderful sites and great, friendly people. The beaches are the best I’ve seen and best I’ve been to. The country on a whole is very clean, the food tastes amazing and we have played on very good grounds. The list just goes on. I think this is now my new favourite destination and I’ve been to a lot of countries, but Bermuda is one of a kind.Q: What is next for Christopher Thompson and what are your future goals?A: My future goals are to play cricket at the top level again, get myself into a county team and continue to enjoy the game. So when I get back to England I will be training, working on my game mentally, physically, and looking for trials with teams.Q: Lastly, what encouraging words do you have for our cricketers, those you played against and even those who didn’t play for whatever reason?A: My encouragement to Bermuda players I have played against and to all those who are coming up, is keep enjoying the game, don’t give up because success is not too far. Always keep working on your game and keep it current because the game is moving very fast, and is not waiting for anybody.Don’t be too shy to ask questions, watch a lot of cricket and keep training because we are nonstop learners throughout our playing career.The most important thing is to get to know yourself both as a player, and a person. Your technique and your natural ability will only get you so far. As a country keep up the good work you’re doing and you shall see me hopefully in the near future on a visit. Thank you for hosting us and all the best in your up and coming tournaments.My remarks: Bermuda we are fortunate to have the likes of MCC to play on our shores and I as a cricket player, coach, and lover of the game have truly enjoyed their stay. It is always a privilege to watch quality cricketers and for those of you who know me I am a diehard English fan. So it was breath taking to see such intelligent cricket being played. Personally, I want to thank Christopher Thompson for taking time out of his busy schedule to do this interview and I wish him and his team-mates a safe journey on their return home to England, the home of cricket.