When he made his first-class debut for Netherlands at just 15, it seemed Alexei Kervezee was destined for great things. A year later he was playing ODI cricket and a year after that he played in the 2007 World Cup as a 17-year-old, one of only five players to have appeared in the tournament at such a young age. Worcestershire were delighted to sign him and quietly thought of him as a long-term replacement for Graeme Hick.

But progress has proved fitful. While 2010 seemed to be a breakthrough - he played the entire Championship campaign and made 1,190 runs at 44.07 with three centuries - he endured wretched seasons in 2012 and 2013 (when he averaged just 11.33 in first-class cricket) and was unable to maintain a place in the county side.

He retired from international cricket in 2013 with a view to concentrating on his county form - a decision described as "extremely disappointing" by Netherlands officials - and enjoyed an improved 2014 season when he was the county's second highest run-scorer in a Championship campaign that helped them gain promotion.

But 2015 was disappointing. Over taken in the battle for a first-team place by younger men, he played just four Championship games and did not feature in any of the white ball games; for such a talented player, his limited-overs form - in domestic T20 in particular - is oddly modest. He finished the season working hard on his off-spin in the hope of forcing his way back into contention as an allrounder.
George Dobell