WHILE most of his rival cricket chairmen keep a keen eye on the performance of the teams in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League, Pudsey St Lawrence's Paul Hutchison is also looking further afield.

Hutchison is just as likely to be checking on the performances of the players at Eskilstuna or Saltsjöbaden as well as the likes of St Lawrence's Bank Holiday weekend opponents Lightcliffe and Pudsey Congs.

That is because the former Yorkshire, Middlesex and Surrey opening bowler is the national coach of Sweden – and next Wednesday he will be joining the national squad for two Twenty20 games in Denmark.

Sweden will also have two further T20 matches in Finland before hosting the ICC Europe Division Two Championships at Stockholm in August.

The Swedish squad, which is made up of first and second generation players from Afghan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds, will be competing against Germany, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Israel and Spain.

Hutchison is enjoying his role and said: "Cricket is a growing sport in Sweden and I have been impressed with what I have seen.

"The trip to Denmark will be the first time I have seen the players in a match situation. The Danes are more experienced than us, so it is a good benchmark for us. Our preparations are aimed in getting the team to perform well in the ICC tournament.

"Most of the players are all-rounders and the average age is a little on the high side. However, there are young players coming through like 19-year-old Liam Karlssen, who has attended the ICC academy in Dubai."

Hutchison works alongside Swedish team manager Serge Conein and assistant coach David Willeyman, who has special responsibility for the under-17 and under-19 sides.

He said: "We have a blueprint for how we want to progress. Cricket is growing in popularity all the time in Sweden and I hope we can win promotion to ICC Europe Division One – if not this year, then in the near future."

Before he heads to Denmark, Hutchison will be hoping his St Lawrence side can strengthen their position at the top of the domestic Premier Division.

They have a tricky trip to Lightcliffe tomorrow, followed by the Bank Holiday Monday derby clash at Pudsey Congs.

"Although we have won all five games so far, we have not been at our best," said Hutchison.

"I would say we have only been at about 80 per cent – but we have learned to be more astute at key times in games and that has been crucial."