Future cricket stars receive A-level results

England U19 squad members Jack Haynes and Hamidullah Qadri stressed the importance of maintaining their school studies alongside playing professional cricket after they received their A-level results this morning.

The pair are amongst over 300,000 18-year-olds who have been anxiously waiting for their results since their exams ended six weeks ago. However, both have also experienced the unique pressure of balancing their studies with making a name for themselves in professional cricket, whether it’s Haynes at Worcestershire or Qadri at Derbyshire.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association runs a multi-faceted Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP) which aims to improve cricketers’ performances by minimising distractions during their playing careers, as well as helping them to better prepare for life after cricket.

The Association actively encourages players of Haynes and Qadri’s age to maintain some level of study outside of cricket in order to become more well-rounded individuals.

Haynes, who took his exams at Malvern College having studied there for the past five years, recognises the importance of completing his studies.

“It’s absolutely crucial to achieve that balance,” he said.

“I always thought that even if cricket was to go well, and I have been lucky enough to get a long-term contract for the next few years, I’ve still got to have a second option.”

Having attained the grades he wanted in Economics, Geography and Philosophy, the batsman looks to have achieved that balance.

“I’m chuffed because I worked really hard on my studies alongside my cricket and it shows that all that hard work and the prioritisation of my school work has paid off.”

Although he’s been nervously awaiting his results over the summer, a recent encounter with the Australians XI at Worcester – his maiden first-class game – has also been playing on Haynes’ mind.

“It’s a tough choice, but I’d probably say facing Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood was more nerve wracking than getting my results.”

Qadri, who did exams in Biology, Chemistry and Geography at Chellaston College, Derby, echoed Haynes’ earlier sentiment.

“I enjoy the studying side of things.

“Obviously playing cricket all the time adds a bit of pressure and it’s quite easy to become stuck in the cricket bubble. Taking your mind away from the game sometimes just gives you a good bit of perspective.”

Not resting on his laurels, the off-spinner is keen to continue broadening his horizons in the future.

“I’m definitely hoping to do a degree at some point, maybe in medicine or physiotherapy. 

“Next year I’m going to take a gap year and see where things go with my cricket, and then after that I’ll see if I can do a full-time or part-time degree.

“With exam results out of the way for now, hopefully the weather will get a bit drier and I can get a few more games in for Derbyshire before the end of the season.”

For more information on the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme click here or contact your regional Personal Development Manager.