Durham professional cricketer Ryan Pringle was hit for six as he celebrated graduating from the University of Sunderland today (Friday, June 11) despite the summer season being in full flow.
The 22-year-old achieved a 2:1 degree in Sport and Exercise Science and received his award at the Stadium of Light just hours before taking on Yorkshire Vikings in a NatWest T20 Blast fixture.
This season he has appeared in one LV=County Championship match and six NatWest T20 Blast games, with the Royal London One-Day Cup fixtures set to begin later this month.
The all-rounder is also a regular in Durham’s 2nd XI side and still plays club cricket for his local team, Hetton Lyons CC, when not on duty with his county.
Pringle has been at Durham since the age of 10 and was given a development contract whilst at University, before he signed a first professional deal with the county champions last summer.
After collecting his degree, Pringle said:“When I first went to university I didn’t really have the confidence to believe I was going to make it as a professional cricketer.
“But being at The University of Sunderland has really helped me, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed studying here.
“I’ve learned so much about the psychology side of sport, which has benefitted me massively when going to play against some of the world’s best players.”