Trio pick up Kent Reliance Academy awards

Two aspiring wicketkeeper-batsmen and a budding bowler were recognised in the 2016 Kent Cricket Academy Awards.

Sidcup gloveman Ollie Robinson won best scholar, Sevenoaks Vine’s James Carslaw was the outstanding U17 Performance squad player and Sandwich Town wicketkeeper Jordan Cox was the outstanding U15 Kent Player.

Myrna Gray presented the John Aitken Gray Trophy in memory of her late husband to Ollie Robinson, who had an outstanding season for the Kent U17 team.

The Beckenham CC player and Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School student hit a top score of 251 against Sussex was a particular highlight.

He was selected to the ECB National Super 4s competition where he top-scored with 82 against the Midlands.

The Colin Page Scholarship is presented annually in memory of the former Kent player and coach who coached many cricketers in the Indoor Schools at both Canterbury and Sevenoaks.

This year’s award went to James Carslaw from Sevenoaks Vine CC and King’s School, Rochester.

James is a talented left arm seamer who was identified by the Kent U17 Performance Squad Coaches as an individual who has shown a great attitude and commitment towards his cricket during the winter training and summer match programme.

A highlight for James this summer was his 5 – 37 against Sussex.

Finally the George Pope Cup was set up in memory of a teacher in South East London, who became a skilled identifier and developer of talented young cricketers.

In 1951, he set up Kent Schools Cricket Association and went on to be one of the prime movers that led, in 1954, to the birth of English Schools Cricket Association.

The Pope Cup went to Jordan Cox, a talented wicket keeper batsman from Broadstairs, plays for Sandwich Town and attends Felsted School.

Jordan has represented Kent U15s, who were ECB national champions and the Kent U17 squad.

He was also selected for the Bunbury Festival and played in the best v best Bunbury XI.

In this fixture he claimed eight victims behind the stumps – this has been surpassed only twice in the history of first class cricket.