MILES Hammond, the Gloucestershire and Lechlade all-rounder discussed his decision to combine a cricket career with the an architecture degree at the Central St Martins art school, London, in a Gloucestershire County Cricket Club player’s blog.

At the start of the 2015 season Miles decided he wanted to add something to his life outside of cricket and opted to go to University as it would both take the pressure off his game and give him something to fall back on if the worst came to the worst.

Gloucestershire embraced Miles decision and helped him contact the MCC Young Cricketers organisation who arranged for Miles to train with them, at Lord’s, over winter.

Initially planning to study geography, Miles switched to architecture after a psychological profile suggested he was suited to some kind of design work.

“I started to do bits of drawing and painting at home during the winter of 2014/15 and quickly found I was interested in design”, said Miles.

Once the 2015 season was over Miles started his course at Central St Martins art school.

His latest project involves working for an actual client, and together with fellow students has designed a mini velodrome obstacle for cycling firm Rapha, which holds ‘Cyclo-cross’ events.

Despite being busy at university, Miles is preparing for the 2016 cricket season and believes that his decision to pursue something outside of cricket will allow him to enjoy the sport more.