Former Bermuda Under-19 skipper Stephen Outerbridge continues to build an impressive innings in the game of cricket.

And the talented international and Bailey's Bay all-rounder has now been rewarded for countless fine performances on the field by being accepted at a school in England following a seven-week course with the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) at Lords in London.

The 20-year-old was at the home of cricket participating with 15 players from other countries between the ages of 17 and 21. And he impressed, slamming a century in one of the many matches he played.

Just home from the trip, Outerbridge said he was thrilled to have had the opportunity and indicated it was his ambition to become a professional player in the near future.

With this being his goal, he said he would jump at an invitation to join the ranks of MCC as a junior if the offer was forthcoming, but in the meantime was grateful that the club had assisted him in getting into a UK school - the City of Westminster School in London.

"I'm very excited about everything that went on out there," he said yesterday. "Of course, getting into a school was major but my experience on the field was also enjoyable."

Former England and Middlesex batsman Clive Radley was in charge of the youngsters at MCC but, unlike the Shell Cricket Academy in St. George's, Grenada, that Outerbridge attended last year, the young Bermudian was more involved in actually playing matches.

In Grenada, he was put through three months of training with the focus placed on the development of young players. But at MCC the emphasis was placed on getting players exposed to a high level of opposition.

"I played three games with the MCC team and then several other games with other teams in the surrounding area. But with the MCC side, the competition was stiffer," he explained. "We played against the second teams of Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Surrey and it was quite an experience. At times you got the chance to play against some of the players in their county teams.

"Since I wasn't on contract with the MCC team I didn't play as much as the others, but I got in the 20s three times and struck a century in the other and also took a couple of wickets during limited bowling spells."

His century came against the British Universities in Uxbridge, but one regret he had was not playing at Lords having been named as a reserve for one of the matches at the famous venue.

"My entire stay with MCC was quite professional, there was always a professional approach that's for sure. All all of the games were a shade just under the county level, but the team were very competitive," added Outerbridge.

"I was impressed enough to realise that I would love to be taken on by MCC and join the other youngsters, but for the moment I am looking forward to at least making a step in that direction by going to school there.

"A lot of positive things happened out there - the MCC counsellor was very professional and she helped me a lot. She spends time working with the players and helping them plan their whole future. I am grateful that she got me into a sports and science programme at a school out there."