Kent Academy all-rounder added to the England squad for U19 World Cup

Kent Academy all-rounder Adam Ball (pictured)has been added to the England squad for next month’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, which runs from January 15-30. The 16 year-old is a member of the ECB Fast Bowling Elite group and has replaced Calum Haggett (Somerset) who has withdrawn from the squad for medical reasons.

Kent Academy director, Phil Relf, said: “Adam“s inclusion is a tremendous achievement for such a young player. It will provide him with a fabulous chance to develop his game in a highly competitive environment. He has been part of the ECB“s Under 18 Elite Training camp so he has been training hard this winter. BETHS Grammar school have been absolutely brilliant in the way that they have supported his cricket since he has been involved with our Academy and a special mention must go out to all of the school staff that have been involved in making arrangements for this trip.”

ECB Lead Fast Bowling Coach, Kevin Shine, added: "It“s great to see a player of Adam’s ability picked for such an important tournament. Adam is one of the most mature young players I have met; he is not only a talented left-arm bowler but also a very useful batsman and athletic fielder."

The squad will leave on 1 January for Wellington, New Zealand, where they will spend a week acclimatising before reporting to Christchurch for the start of the World Cup. England will play two warm up matches against Papua New Guinea U19 on 11 January and New Zealand U19 a day later.

England“s first match in the group stages will be against Hong Kong on 16 January followed by Afghanistan and current U19 World Cup holders India. The top two teams in each group will progress to the quarter finals.