Top Ten: Future England Cricketers

With the County Championship fast approaching on the 10th April and a big summer ahead for the England team, we look forward to ten players who could possibly be knocking on the selector’s door and pushing for a place in the national side.

10- George Dockrell (Somerset)

The Irish born left arm spinner has been making a name for himself down at Taunton and the 20 year old seems to have a bright future ahead of him. Since making his debut for Ireland back in 2010 at only 17, he has already been to a World T20 finals and played a major role, including stifling England’s middle order in their famous victory by bowling four overs for 19.

Dockrell could easily follow in the footsteps of both Eoin Morgan and Ed Joyce in representing England on the biggest stage.

9- James Vince (Hampshire)

The 22 year old right handed batsman has been lighting up the Ageas Bowl since making his debut in 2009, and is the second fastest teenager to score 1000 career runs for the County. It was 2010 that he started to make his name though, becoming a regular in the First XI, making his highest first-class score of 180 v Yorkshire.

“Vincey” has already represented England under 19s and has spent this winter on tour with the Lions in Australia. His ability to play both long and short formats of the game put him in good stead for a future spot in the full England team.

8- Daniel Bell-Drummond (Kent)

This 19 year old has already turned heads in the cricketing world, with his big hitting lavish batting style, and has become the highest ever run scorer in ODI’s for England’s youth squad after a ton against Australia in April last year.

Although he only made one appearance for Kent in the four day format last year he is still one to watch this season. In that one game against Essex he scored 33 when taking the place of injured ex-captain Rob Key at the top of the innings.

His highest score in first class cricket came on debut when hitting a fluent 80 against Loughborough and he could easily be one for the future in all formats of the game.

7- Scott Borthwick (Durham)

Scott is a rare English talent that can actually bowl legspin, who is also handy with the bat. At 22 he has years ahead of him and looks like he can be a replacement for Graeme Swann in years to come. Having already made his England debut in the shorter formats of the game, it is the Test squad that he will have his eyes on next.

He will need to build on the opportunities that Durham are giving him though, with him only taking 15 wickets in the County Championship last year. But after working down under with Shane Warne and Mushtaq Ahmed two years ago I’m sure his talents will start to shine through.

6- Luke Wells (Sussex)

The Loughborough graduate has been playing for Sussex for the last two seasons and he has already made 33 first class appearances and has impressed with the bat, making five centuries with a high score of 174 and this at the tender age of 22.

The son of former England batsman Alan Wells it’s clear that his batting skills are in his genes. Luke has the advantage of having the ability to bowl some part-time right-arm offbreaks as well, which is always a bonus when going on a sub-continent tour.

5- Sam Billings (Kent)

This 21 year old has been tipped for big things in the future and although he hasn’t made his County Championship debut yet, he has made a name for himself in the short formats of the game.

The wicket-keeper/ batsman has been playing understudy to former England player Geraint Jones, and forced his way into Kent’s first class side last season by hitting 131 on debut for Loughborough, before making his Kent debut against Glamorgan in a T20 tie.

He has already represented England at under 19 level and I’m sure it won’t be long before the selectors stand up and take notice of this young man.

4- Danny Briggs (Hampshire)

The third spinner on the list, Briggs has been making himself known on the south coast being Hampshire’s leading wicket taker in the four day game with 38 scalps, while also picking up 19 in the one day game.

Briggs has already been recognised internationally playing in one ODI game and three T20 matches, but hasn’t been called into the Test side of yet, but he has represented the England Lions on their tour to the Caribbean.

His bowling action is similar of New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, and if he can lift his game to that level then England will have a quality spinner for years to come.

3- Liam Dawson (Hampshire)

Dawson amazingly made his first class debut six years ago against Yorkshire when he was only 17, and has never looked back. He was drafted into the squad when Shaun Udal and legend Shane Warne left the club, leaving them short of spin options.

Primarily a spinner when he first started out he has now become an accomplished batsman, with his opportunity arising when Michael Carberry became ill and he hasn’t lost his spot since.

He scored 908 runs in the 2012 season with a high score of 169 as well as popping up with the odd wicket.

At 23 he has years ahead of him and with his batting ever improving he looks like he could be an England opener of the future, add to that some work with his bowling he could become more than a bit time bowling option.

2- Matt Coles (Kent)

Coles was Kent’s second highest wicket taker last year with 55 victims in their failed promotion efforts, and also recorded his maiden first class century scoring an unbeaten 103. He’s not just good in the longer format of the game though, with his destructive low order batting and ability to bowl at the death big pluses in his one day game.

Coles has already been called into the Potential England Performance Programme Squad at the end of 2011, and has also been on tour with the Lions. A player in the Stuart Broad mould he could easily take Broads place in the team if his injuries continue.

With his poor behaviour on tour this winter though, Coles will have to shine this season to get back into the selectors good books.

1- James Harris (Middlesex)

The young fast bowler has been tipped for the top ever since he signed a professional contract with Glamorgan at the age of 15, and is the only 17 year old to ever take a seven wicket haul in the County Championship.

Following his impressive debut season he was called into the England Performance squad and toured India, and to add to that he has been on three Lions tours. He was also called into England’s T20 squad for the two game series against India in the winter.

There have never been any doubts about his bowling with him picking up an incredible 63 wickets in the 2010 season and with his ability to bat low down the order he could be a fine acquisition to the England team for years to come.

His recent move to Middlesex could be just the push he needs to finally get a Test spot, and with back to back Ashes series coming up what a year it would be to make the grade.

There were others around the County circuit that could have made the list, and if you disagree with the ten to watch then let us know by commenting below.

By Joe Aird

@JoeAird5590

Picture provided by: gin soak