A break from GCSEs

Chris Paget made a composed entrance to first-class cricket against the West Indians and five days later, at 16 years 282 days, became the youngest Derbyshire player to appear in the Championship. He was unfazed by the big stage at Headingley and his off-breaks bore fair comparison with those of Yorkshire's Test spinner Richard Dawson.

Paget is, however, less thrilled to have to return to Repton School for two more years. "I've just done my GCSEs," he says, "but I didn't concentrate very hard once I knew I was going to be playing for Derbyshire's first team. The next two years are going to be very difficult to concentrate on school work."

Surprisingly he does not come from a family steeped in cricket and did not start playing until Repton. "My best pal's family were mad about cricket and I just joined in," he says. "It didn't take long for it to take over my life. It's all I think about now."

"I was very pleased with the way he bowled," says David Houghton, a county coach not given to lavishing praise where not due. "He kept a good length and wasn't cut in either match until he was tired at the end of a spell - and then only a couple of times. He had been due to join our academy. But, if they're good enough, get them in the side."