Thomas Cotterell

Spotted playing for his club side, Stroud, the left-arm spinner Thomas Cotterell was fast-tracked into Gloucestershire's County Board XI. Shortly afterwards he was picked for the first team, making his first-class debut in August 1999 at the age of 22. He picked up three first-innings wickets relatively cheaply against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, and was subsequently offered a contract for 2000.

Although Gloucestershire already had two front-line spinners, Cotterell played in eight first-class matches in 2000, claiming eight wickets for the season at an average of 72. He also featured in a solitary List A match, in the opening round of the NatWest Trophy. After being released at the end of the season he turned his attentions to journalism, and is currently head of sports production at The Times.