One of 16 players taken on this time around by first class county side

Wisbech Cricket Club youngster George Gowler has been selected for Northamptonshire CCC's emerging player programme (EPP) for 2019 and is one of 16 players taken on this time around by the first class county side.

Luke Swann, performance cricket & EPP head coach, announced this week the 2019 intake for the EPP, highlighted by him as “a very exciting group of elite cricketers”.

The EPP sits just below the academy in the performance pathway structure and is the first rung on the ladder for the top players aged between 13-16 in the Northants and surrounding minor county player pathways.

They begin their EPP training on January 8, 2019.

The players were identified over the 2018 season, two trial days and a six-week observation process held in the Northamptonshire CCC indoor school.

When describing the criteria for EPP acceptance, Luke commented: “It was a fairly rigorous selection process whereby we tried to leave no stone unturned, selecting players that we feel show the potential to go forward and push for academy places over the next 12-18 months.

"The performance coaching staff were highly impressed by the overall standard of the players trialled and are looking forward to working with this excellent group of players.

“The players have all shown the required skill level accompanied by their individual potential, but the hard work starts now in terms of the players demonstrating the work-ethic and qualities required for the next level.”

Northamptonshire CCC have an excellent record of producing professional players who go on to represent the county and England, with five academy graduates on the current staff; club captain Alex Wakely, Rob Newton, Graeme White, Rob Keogh and Saif Zaib and other recent graduates with England honours; namely: David Willey, Ben Duckett and Olly Stone.