Not many youngsters can boast a county contract at the age of 17 but Billy Godleman is an exception. In 2005, he became the second-youngest first-class debutant for Middlesex (behind his team-mate, Steven Finn), whereupon he impressed with an unbeaten 69 against Cambridge at Fenners after previously making three hundreds for Middlesex 2nd XI and earning a 1st XI call-up. Having represented England schools at Under-15s, 16s, 17s and 18s level, Godleman trained with the Under-19 squad but unfortunately missed out on a place in their 2005-06 World Cup squad. But when he earned a place in the U-19 set-up he made his mark, in 2007 scoring an unbeaten 149 in an ODI against Pakistan, the highest individual innings for England at youth level. He was selected in England's Under-19 World Cup squad in 2008. Godleman was identified by David English as a future England player when aged 15 at a Bunbury Festival, a testament to the hard work both he and his father put into his development. A left-hand batsman with a low grip who favours scoring square of the wicket, particularly on the leg, he is one of the game's fidgets who checks his grip and equipment before every delivery. Opportunities became limited at Middlesex, however, and he signed a three-year contract with Essex in 2009
Cricinfo staff August 2009