Air of optimism comes from Northeast

In the Times, Ivo Tennant profiles 16-year-old Sam Northeast, one of England’s brightest young batsman who is good enough for Kent to send their coaches to him rather than asking for him to go to them.

“Last summer they [Kent] gave him his second XI debut at Beckenham, where he scored 96 against Derbyshire. In his first innings of this term he scored 122 against Charterhouse and took four wickets.”

And David Parsons, the England spin-bowling coach, is equally enthusiastic.

“Sam is one of the most exciting talents and there is no reason why he should not go far. A fantastic ball player, very fit and a stroker of the ball rather than a hitter. He is Michael Vaughan-esque.”