Eight players join Middlesex academy

Middlesex have drafted eight new players into their youth academy – making it one of the largest groups they have had in recent years.

The club have retained six bright prospects from last season, making a total of 14 players who will look to follow the likes of Andrew Strauss and Tom Helm in earning a professional contract from the youth grade.

Middle-order batsman Ryan Higgins is perhaps the most notable name to be retained after his unbeaten half-century in the second-XI trophy semi-final against Lancashire caught the eye last term, and it will be his third year with the club.

Joining him will be Harrow School and Ealing CC’s Robbie White, a wicketkeeper-batsman, and Bedford CC’s Charlie Thurston, who scored the highest individual total of any Middlesex youth player last term with 165 against Essex.

The list of those retained is rounded off by Sunbury CC’s Arthur Godsal, Bradley Erasmus of Ealing CC and Max Holden from Cambridgeshire.

The new intake includes an off-spinner, Freddie Fairhead, who is the latest player to sign from Radley College following in the footsteps of former England captain Strauss.

Further spinners Robin Collins from High Wycombe CC and Marwan Mohammad from Ickenham CC have also been signed.

Middlesex have also added seamers Jamie Odell from Berkshire, Seb Feszczur-Hatchett from Finchley CC and James Ilott from Potters Bar CC as well as all-rounders George Scott, also from Potters Bar, and Martin Andersson from Bunbury CC.

Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser said: “I am delighted and encouraged by the fact there are so many talented young cricketers in our system.

“We wish to look within our system rather than outside for cricketers in the future and our Academy will play a crucial role in helping the club achieve this goal.”

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