James Hildreth      

For any batsman, Taunton is the ideal place to launch a career. There was much expected of James Hildreth from age-group level, but his debut knock of 101 off 113 against a Durham attack including Shoaib Akhtar. However, Hildreth didn't really kick-on from that dream start and threatened to become one of the county game's frustrating talents.

He hails from that solid breeding ground of first-class cricketers, Millfield School, where he as part of the first XI for four years. His progression continued through England youth sides at all levels including the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2003-04. He ended his age-group career with 210 in the final Test against Bangladesh in 2004 and had a cameo role of 38 off 24 balls when Somerset famously chased down 343 to beat the touring Australians in 2005.

Justin Langer, who became his captain at Taunton, rated him as "an extraordinary talent" and Australians don't throw around such comments without good reason. Still, though, potential wasn't translated into consistent results and his average lingered in the 30s rather than the 40s. His opening innings of the 2009 season, again on a batting paradise at Taunton, suggested the best was still to come as he took Warwickshire for an unbeaten 303 - the earliest triple century in an English season.

Hildreth is a talented allround sportsman and played hockey for the West of England, tennis and squash for the South of England, rugby for Millfield and soccer for Luton Town as a teenager.
Andrew McGlashan April 2009