Yorkshire CCC launch talent search in Premier Leagues

Yorkshire County Cricket Club have announced a talent scouting initiative in the region’s five ECB Premier Leagues.

In an interview on the YCCC website, Yorkshire’s general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton shared plans to identify players, aged from 17-22, in the top tier of club cricket.

Photo: Caught Light Photography

Hamilton said: “League cricket in Yorkshire is amazing, and it would be remiss of the club to not have it sitting under our pathway… I’m a firm believer that if you’re performing well, you deserve a chance.”

He added: “We will be going into real detail and not just looking at weight of runs or weight of wickets.”

It follows Cricket Yorkshire’s February interview with Yorkshire Men’s Head Coach Anthony McGrath where he mentioned the success at Essex of digital scouting and its potential here in Yorkshire.

There are now five ECB Premier Leagues in Yorkshire – Bradford Premier League, Huddersfield Premier League, the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League, Yorkshire Premier League North and the North Yorkshire South Durham Cricket League.

Photo: Caught Light Photography

In addition, the Yorkshire Women’s Premier League will be monitored too as part of this process, although Hamilton referenced potential changes in league structures.

The process will see Yorkshire’s lead performance analyst Harrison Allen compiling reports for the county with a view to inviting any shortlisted players from league cricket to train with the professionals and perhaps be involved in second-team cricket.

It’s an open approach to player scouting that acknowledges the potential and player strength in Premier Leagues – partly as a result from personal experiences.

Gavin Hamilton, Anthony McGrath, John Sadler, Richard Pyrah and Chris Brice, to name a few, all have a background in Yorkshire league cricket.

Good news for young cricketers not already on Yorkshire’s radar through the Academy and Emerging Players Programme.

Click to read more of the interview with Gavin Hamilton on the YCCC website.