Durham Cricket are thrilled to confirm that 5 boys’ academy cricketers have been selected to represent the North of England at the ECB Super4s.
The annual tournament, held at Loughborough University sees talented Under 18-year olds from across the country compete in a regional tournament in both 50 over and T20 cricket, with the North going up against the Midlands, South & West and London & East across five days.
Will Alexander, Robbie Bowman, Callum Gaffney, James Minto and Luke Symington have been selected for the North region.
The 5 Academy players are all selected on the back of strong seasons with Durham and in their club sides.
Left-had top order batter Luke Symington has impressed for Durham Under 18s which included 104 against Yorkshire in a T20 as he 1085 runs to this name for his club side Norton and the Durham pathway.
Wicket-keeper batter Robbie Bowman is currently in strong form having scored 134 against Benwell Hill in the North East Premier League and has been keeping wicket for Durham Second XI this summer.
Left-hander Callum Gaffney has been firing for Durham Under 18s this summer with 800 runs with a best of 127 against Leicestershire averaging 50 – with 7 half-centuries.
James Minto earns his North call up having made his List A debut against Worcestershire earlier this month, the left-arm quick claimed a best of 5/12 against Lincolnshire as he blew the home side away dismissing Lincoln for just 32.
South Northumberland and Durham EPP seamer Will Alexander has 37 wickets across the season for the Gosforth side and Durham along with 302 runs top scoring with an unbeaten 45* against Scotland,
Durham Cricket Academy Director John Windows and Academy/Pathway coach Cole Pearce will be in attendance as part of the North staff.
Windows said: “It’s always a proud achievement when Durham players are chosen to represent the North. It’s an exciting week and the 5 lads from Durham will get a chance to perform against players from across the country. I wish them all the best and I’m sure they’ll benefit from this week.
The four 18-year olds who received their exam results this week all achieved what they expected and needed to move on to the next stage.
“Players education and cricket should run in parallel. It is the club’s policy that a player’s educational aspirations should not be impacted by the additional pressures of developing their cricket.
“These set of results are fabulous for the lads and their families. The careful planning and diligence shown by the lads has led to these impressive results.
“Congratulations! It is great to see lads moving forward with their lives and cricket careers.”
Super4s gets underway next Monday [19 August] running through until Friday 23 August.