The Young Pretenders 2008

We continue our brief look at the top eleven up and coming talented youngsters who will be on display in county cricket over the English summer. The qualifiers are all under the age of 23 and are looking to establish themselves in their respective county sides this season.


Tom Westley (19) – Essex – Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Another young batsman who has come through the ranks at Essex is young Tom Westley. He already has a first class fifty to his name and he is also a more than useful limited overs player. Under the tutelage of Graham Gooch and playing on the benign surfaces at Chelmsford, Westley has an excellent chance to secure himself a permanent place in the Essex first team, in both formats of the game. Apart from being a brilliant prospect with the bat, Westley is also a very handy offspinner, as match figures of 9-91 in the SEC against Middlesex demonstrate.


James Harris (17) – Glamorgan – Right Arm Medium-Fast Bowler

Another regular in the England U19 squad, young Harris was the youngest player to take a seven wicket haul in the County Championship, aged just 17. He is a product of Glamorgan’s partially enforced policy of giving youth a chance to shine. He has taken 33 wickets in his 9 first class matches to date and he is sure to gain more exposure to first team cricket this year. He is another young bowler who also knows how to hold a bat, as a top score of 87 not out shows.