I THOUGHT I would start this week's blog with a quick look at a couple of young up-and-coming local players from each of the three local clubs (Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Caistor – apologies to Holton-le-Clay CC, Stamford CC etc) who hopefully have bright futures.

From Caistor Cricket Club my two nominees would be Lewis Jefferson and Luke Robinson.

Lewis is a fast-medium opening bowler who can get a bit of movement in the air as well as being a clean-striking, dangerous lower middle-order batsmen.

Luke is an aggressive opener or No 3 batsmen who plays his shots and likes to keep the board ticking. He is also a very useful off-spinner.

Both play for Lincolnshire at Under-16 and Under-17 level and what impresses me about them is their drive, skill and passion for the game.

I'll give you one example. A couple of weeks ago Lewis got a call at 10pm on the Saturday, after a hard match that day, asking if he would travel four hours to Framlingham the following morning to play against Suffolk. He did.

Another local player who plays for both county age groups is Harry Warwick of Grimsby Town CC.

Things never seem to be dull with Harry involved. The last Under-16 match I was involved with he was out leg before wicket first ball without playing a shot which led to some considerable mickey taking from his teammates (obviously I was very supportive!) but I see he scored a century this weekend in the North Lindsey League for his club side. He is going to be a fine player.

His club colleague Steve Crossley is that most valuable of cricket commodities – a wicketkeeper batsmen all-rounder who could get into his club or county side in either category.

In the aforementioned match at Framlingham, Steve came in at 170 odd for five and alongside Matty Fowler (now playing for App-Frod) they helped the county reach 316 for nine.

They are a very dangerous No7 and No8 double act. Steve made 70 not out and it was yet another case of him helping to turn an innings around.

So what of Cleethorpes? Well, I don't think you'd be surprised that my two nominees for the Chichester Road outfit would be Harry Clewitt and Jack Harrison, although both are having interesting seasons.

After an astronomical rise in the last couple of seasons, Harry has just had a bit of a rough ride this season. A combination of the overs he has bowled in the last 24 months and growth spurts have caused him some back problems.

However, I have no doubt that with the right handling and advice he will continue to show the sort of form that got him an invite to the Bunbury Festival last year.

To write about Jack is a very difficult task. Having gained a lot of plaudits last year, he has experienced a difficult second season in the Yorkshire League.

However, he has been selected on a number of occasions for the Northants Academy side as well as bowling at some of the England players, as reported in the Grimsby Telegraph earlier this summer.

These are just six lads working hard on their game who have ability in abundance.

I look forward to watching their continued progression and those who will take their places in time to come.

Until next week

Wheels