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.
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My name Nadeem Yousuf Former Professionals Cricketer/Coach/Talent Finder (Scouts) Umpire.I played from 1975 to 2010.Pakistan/England /Scotland/Australia/UAE/Canada/West indies.USA..Currently back in England .I like to involve in Yorkshire Cricket in all finding Talent in School/Collage/University/Clubs in Yorkshire. 2005 to 2008 played and Coach for APPLEBY FORDINGHAM in Yorkshire Premier League and Lincolnshire League..I am based
in Keighley West Yorkshire doing Umpiring and Playing for Yorkshire 60s.
[email protected]
Mobile.07405129101
I am looking forward to work with Yorkshire Cricket on all levels.
Regards and Best Wishes
Nadeem Yousuf.
this is a great concept to see how well so many kids over last 20 years have developed past the incumbent players in league and open age cricket the and the number off quick bowlers damaged
in their early years we need this avenue off good cricketers who can play in the county second x1
were we seem to just put kids up from academy this opens up the 20 some things to have another chance and not give up when running north juniors for 12 years it was amazing how many players came @ 15 and made county age group second teams and moved on through to gain contracts for Yorkshire . how kids grow mentally and physically determines development stuart broad England under19 opening bat took bowling up in is early 20ss matty revis never bowled in the formative years
know plying is trade has a all rounder . and their are many more we always had a yard stick in north Yorkshire off trusting people all over the north and then gets these kids in @ what ever age to view
one other relevent point with covid this stiffened lots off kids cricket which we see know so i feel the longer we give these players and not to worry about giving kids a go in the county 2sss its open and it works not to sure on digital scouting we have enough knowledge and stats to find use some more players who may or may not have exelled in formative years
There’s probably a lot of players who missed for various reasons of selection at representative level. Not much transparency or not from preferential clubs. And some might even be less than 17+ and from lower leagues but on par in equivalent level or above. Do they get scouted or forwarded.
Hi Jamil, thanks for the comment. I’m sure players are missed at rep level but the reasons for those could, as you say, vary quite a bit. I’d imagine selection at all ages is contentious and not everyone will agree who makes the cut or not in squads.
From the little I know, I’d say there are more opportunities now than there used to be with CAG (county age groups) leading to Academy and Emerging Players Programme, along with initiatives such as South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA). This scouting initiative is another positive sign.