What a Catch!

What a Catch! 

This is the area of the Seam-Mistress dedicated to looking at the bright young stars of the future of English Cricket.  Chosen from the county sides, this page is to expose some young players you may not have heard of before, not because they lack talent, but because they're young and breaking into cricket.  Who's your catch? 

Page still subject to updating - last updated 12.05.12 

Zafar Ansari - Surrey

At the age of 20, Ansari is one to watch for the future of Surrey and England.  Most recently he played in Surrey's opening CB40 match victory over Somerset, picking up 3 wickets for 28 runs.  The Surrey team being packed with stars of the future, Ansari is just one youngster impressing Chris Adams and his coaching team.  It'll be interesting to see how he progresses over the 2012 domestic season, particularly what part he will play in Surrey's CB40 campaign.  As of recent, his batting totals have not been brilliant, and his economy rate is high - but it's the promise he shows that makes him one to watch.  No way is he 'all the gear, with no idea', he's developing, he's young and he's playing good cricket.  

Matthew Dunn - Surrey 

The expression, 'take the bull by its horn's' applies to this player - he is a true romantic of the sport.  On his Championship debut for Surrey, back in 2011, he rewrote the club's history book, taking a five-fore to secure victory over Derbyshire.  Dunn is still in the infancy of his career, first team appearances aren't consistent and don't come often, but he's one to watch because here's a guy who promises big, big things.  Looking to the future, the England bowling unit is set for the next couple of years, however I'm sure Dunn will be an essential part of the bowling unit one day.  After-all, he made memorable appearances for England's U19 squad.     Dunn is quite simply a time bomb waiting to explode.  

Jonny Bairstow - Yorkshire

This 23 year old is a 'Catch!' that you'll most certainly have heard of.  Yorkshire's 2011 player of the year, he is included in this list as he is an important asset to the Yorkshire team, England Lions and he is knocking loudly on the England first team door.  Any time now, this 'run machine' is going to be included in either England's ODI or Twenty20 squad and just simply never leave.  If you missed out on his 'out-of-the-park' England ODI debut against India last summer, it's a youtube must.  Go out of your way to watch this man in domestic cricket, he is sure to give you a good time.  

Joe Root - Yorkshire

Root is en-route to a glittering career in domestic and  English cricket.  His current first class average is 33.39 and he only just missed 1000 first class runs in his first year as a professional cricketer.  He is a name to remember as he is sure to pop up soon enough, right at the beginning of his career, he is a player to keep in the corner of ones eye.  Root is a top order batsman who is currently opening for the England Lions, cricinfo even go as far as suggesting he could one day be England's opener... watch this space! 

Billy Godleman - Essex 

Godleman signed with Essex in 2009 looking for first class cricket opportunities and this is exactly what he got.  Starting off the 2012 domestic season with 130 v Gloucestershire, he has since not performed all that well with the bat - but the season is young and he is scoring more runs that some of England's test squad!  Essex are the perfect club for a player like Godleman, who develops by playing games rather than being in the nets watching the masters at work.  Godleman needs Essex and Essex needs Godleman.  

Alex Barrow - Somerset 

If you follow Somerset and know your squad, you'll know who Alex Barrow is.  If not, this name is not one you will have come across.  Included as a 'Catch!' because he is a nifty batsman, producing a half century when he opened the batting for Somerset against Yorkshire in a division one game last season.  Though an England place is not going to come his way any time soon, more games with Somerset and a place in the England Lions squad could be a realistic expectation for the near future. 

Scott Borthwick - Durham 

Borthwick earned his first Twenty20 and ODI England call up in 2011, but did not use either of these debuts to do anything magical.  Nonetheless, as a legspinner he offers the England selectors a future of options and is most likely to be given more opportunities in top flight cricket - particularly in those one-off friendly games.  Meanwhile, he is featuring in the Durham team this season, but once again wickets seam to be alluding him.  Once those numbers sort themselves out, he should be less of a 'chance' bowler and more of a 'secret weapon'.