Liam Banks
At just 18, he made his debut in the county championship last season in September against Yorkshire when he opened the batting. He may not have scored a large amounts of runs but he seemed to take to opening well, which then lead to him getting a call up for the U19 World Cup. In that tournament he originally was in the middle order, but moving up the order to opening was where he made the best impression. He made a century (120) against Canada and some other scores of 50+ to make vital contributions for the team, but he showed he was a great player and had a good technique. If he can work his way into the first team for Warwickshire, then could get plenty of runs for them and help in their search for promotion. He is playing club cricket for Tamworth CC in the summer as well, aiming to get as much cricket under his belt as he can. Whether it be this season, or in future seasons, I think Banks could become a solid player for Warwickshire and step up when needed, especially with senior batsmen Bell and Trott soon to retiring possibly, he could fill that space.
Dan Lawrence
A batsmen for Essex, reigning champions and at 20 years old he has showed how much of a great player he is. He became the third youngest batsman to make a Championship century when he struck 161 for Essex against Surrey at The Oval in April 2015 at the age of 17 years and 290 days. It was only his second first-class game. Averaging 41 in the 2017 season, he sure proved himself and earned an England Lions call up and is currently playing in the Caribbean. There is no doubt that he was a great help in Essex’s winning season, and he will be hoping to replicate and improve on him performances to help them search for the silverware again. As a middle order batsmen at Essex there is a wealth of talent to help him grow, and keep striving and putting in those big scores.
Henry Brookes
A fast bowler who has come through the age groups at Warwickshire, and has certainly impressed a lot of people there including players, staff and members. He has been branded as potential talent numerous times through the ranks and academy at Warwickshire, and he managed to get into the first team at the back end of last season when he made his debut in September in the game against Essex. Through the winter he has battled a stress fracture but is now back fit and is training with the first team bowling unit and getting dug into pre-season. His injury meant he unfortunately missed out on the U19 world cup, but he played some games in the summer for the U19 and seemed to be impressive then so another good season for Warwickshire looms hopefully and more joy for him in in terms of England as he may set his sights on England Lions He may a key bowler coming through the age groups and flourish into a great, reliable bowler to be next to the senior bowlers. He seems to have done all he can to impress Warwickshire with Ashley Giles claiming he is a ‘’potential superstar once he realises how long his arms and legs are’’ and Pop Welch, bowling coach also speaking highly of him with a plethora of praise.
George Garton
A left arm bowler who has showed a lot of promise in the past 2 seasons after making his debut in the early games of the 2016 season. Last season his major breakthrough came when he was added to the England Ashes squad for Australia to act as cover for Jake Ball. He must have impressed those selectors so will be one to look out for when playing for Sussex, and could be in the eye of the selectors as a possible end to their hunt for a promising left arm seamer who is of test standard. Garton will be giving his all to keep impressing selectors and get some good results for Sussex.
Richard Gleeson
Playing for Northamptonshire in all 3 formats, Gleeson is a right
arm seam bowler who could be a key player for Northants this season in the County
Champ. At the end of the 2016 season he won a 3 year contract after showing
very promising signs, so has plenty of potential to show his skills for Northants.
He has also been called up for the
England Lions currently touring in the Caribbean as an injury replacement for
George Garton, so both players are on England’s radar it seems and have impressed,
his two 5fer’s at the back end of last season have definitely helped his case.
These are just a small selection of the young players hoping to make their mark in the season and do all they can to get their team as champions or promoted. Only 48 days to wait...
