The Twelfth Man 2020

Academy coach Richard Damms introduced our young York- shire Academy hopefuls, as follows:- Ed Booth: An 18 year-old fast bowler from Huddersfield, who attends QEGS School, Wakefield. He had an excellent 2019, where he played under 17s and broke into the Academy side. He represented the North at the Super-4s tournament at Loughborough; he is training hard and will be on the Academy trip to Cape Town in February 2020. Sam Wisniewski: An 18 year-old left-arm chinaman bowler, also from Huddersfield. Sam plays for Pudsey Congs in the Bradford League and has been the leading wicket-taker at the Regional Super-4s competition for two years running. He has yet to play Second XI cricket but will be playing all summer in 2020 for the Academy’s league side and will have the opportu- nity to push for selection. He will also be on the trip to Cape Town. Arjun Ramkumar: Also aged 18, Arjun is a top-order batter who also plays at Pudsey Congs and represented the Under 17s, Academy and Second Eleven in 2019. Although yet to make the really big score that’s hopefully around the corner, Arjun is working really hard on his skills and temperament to bat for long periods in red-ball cricket. Arjun will also be travel- ling to Cape Town in February. The question and answer session proved long and lively, start- ing with the young aspiring stars giving a background on how they got into cricket, an overview of where they are now and their hopes and aspirations. The subject of school cricket (or lack of it) was discussed at length with the conclusion that, thankfully, club cricket is doing a lot to tap into any promising talent. Richard also explained the new contract system being brought in for young players which now includes alternative ‘Rookie’, Academy or full contracts, all being backed up by ICC finance. Among many other subjects discussed were the format pref- erences of the young players and more on their travels and experiences playing in the leagues as well as their views on the matter of walking and umpires. The evening concluded with the first-ever presentation of the late Brian Workman Memorial Award for the most improved Young Yorkshire Player to fast bowling hopeful, Ed Booth. Wouldn’t it be nice to see Ed splaying Australian stumps some- time in the future? The presentation concluded an excellent evening with our young guests. 36 37 (L to R) John Ambler with Arjun Ramkumar, Ed Booth, Sam Wisniewski, Richard Damms John Ambler (L) presents the Brian Workman Memorial Award to Ed Booth YOUNG YORKSHIRE EVENING 16 January 2020