Worcestershire Academy (Under-18s) will again be competing in a trio of ECB competitions this summer – and striving to maintain their superb record in the three-day competition.

They have not been beaten in the red ball tournament – the ECB Under-18 County Championship – since losing to Hampshire in 2019 and topped their group in 2022 and 2023.

Last summer the Academy showed their resilience when battling through 103 overs on the final day against Cricket Wales at Panteg to earn a draw and preserve that record.

It was a particularly satisfying campaign as many of the players were in the 15 to 17 age group and younger than many of their opponents.

Once again, the five matches will take place during a six week period in July-August against Somerset, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.

Worcestershire will also have six ECB T20 matches and the opening four fixtures will also feature a T20 friendly on the same day against the same opposition to maximise the amount of cricket available.

In the ECB 50 Over knockout competition, Worcestershire have been drawn away to Northamptonshire in the first round.

Academy Coach, Elliot Wilson, said: “It is always good to get the fixtures organised, to know what we are doing, with a block of 50 over games before a three-four block of T20 cricket and then we get into the summer holidays and the three-day block.

“On the days of ECB T20 cricket, we try to play games in the morning and in the afternoon. We’ve got Northants away in the 50 over competition and then we will see what goes from there.

“With the red ball competition, the opportunity to develop some of the longer format characteristics, which are patience, concentration, decision-making, are really good foundations.

“Once you have achieved those, you are in a far better place to develop your skills in the white ball games. They are good in terms of building the foundations and basics of the game.”