LOCAL teenager Harry Sockett will make his Herefordshire debut when the county side take on Gloucestershire in the annual showcase game at Eastnor on Wednesday.
Sockett, who learned his cricket at Burghill, Tillington and Weobley, now plays for Kidderminster in the Birmingham League where he has been batting at number three.
Nineteen-year-old Sockett joins three other locally-developed players in the squad with Luke Tulacz, Luke Powell and Charlie Williams named among the 14 chosen.
Herefordshire will, however, be weakened by the absence of three key players with skipper Matt Pardoe, his deputy Nick Hammond and former Worcestershire all-rounder Taylor Cornall all unavailable.
In the absence of Pardoe and Hammond, opener Ben Chapman-Lilley will step up to captain the side.
The day at Eastnor is set to get under way at 10am with the first of two T20 matches.
Gloucestershire will be using the match as practice for their Vitality Blast competition which began at the end of last month.
So far, they have won one and lost three of their four matches.
Head Coach at Gloucestershire Cricket, Mark Alleyne, said: “We’re delighted to get some extra exposure in the T20 playing period with a trip up the M5 to play Herefordshire. It’s a game we are all looking forward to as we seek to continue to grow the game with our neighbours.
“We’re excited to make even greater connections with Herefordshire’s performance and pathway programmes and at the same time, are looking forward to being involved in two great games of cricket at what promises to be a fabulous family occasion.”
As well as two thrilling games of T20 cricket to look forward to, the NCCA showcase day will include a BBQ and a bar and is available to attend for only £5 per person. Gates will open at 9am and tickets can be purchased on the day.
Herefordshire (from): Ben Chapman-Lilley, Ollie Walker, Jujhar Johal, Imaad Mahmood, Luke Powell, Luke Tulacz, James Rudge, Harry Sockett, Sam Keeling-Wright, Josh Holling, Ryan Kilmister, Toby Cox, Daniyal Khan, Charlie Williams.
