Worcestershire Academy coach Elliot Wilson believes Dillon Pennington has a chance of challenging for a first team breakthrough at some stage this summer – in the same way as Josh Tongue, Pat Brown and George Scrimshaw in 2017.
He is also optimistic of Adam Finch – who is a year younger than Pennington – also continuing to progress and develop and making his mark via a sizeable chunk of second team cricket in 2018.
Pennington is back studying at Worcester University – for a sports studies degree – after showing his potential as part of the England squad at the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
Finch has returned to his studies at Oldwinsford Hospital School.after also being part of the squad which reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup before losing to Australia.
Pennington impressed with the new ball and had a knack of picking up early wickets as England reached the quarter-finals before losing to Australia.
He played in five of England’s six games in New Zealand and Wilson said: “Dillon really does look like an exciting prospect.
“He has really got a chance, if he gets some confidence and momentum into the season, which he should do after a successful World Cup.
“If he does that there is no reason why he can’t progress and really challenge some of the senior guys for a game at some point in the first team.
“He will be available for it (second team cricket) around his studies at the University Of Worcester.
“Again thanks to Worcester University in allowing him nine weeks off in the first 14 weeks of term.
“That is amazing for them to do that and allowing Dillon to go and play in the World Cup.”
Finch has made massive strides forward during the past two years which came to fruition with his World Cup inclusion.
To be selected for three of those matches, when at a younger age than some of his team-mates, was a superb achievement.
Wilson said: “Adam is a year younger than Dillon and he will do well for us in whatever cricket he can play in terms of Academy Under-19s and he will play a lot of second team cricket.
“Quietly he will go about his business and impress people without jumping up and down saying ‘look at me.’
“He is a good character is Adam.”
Friday, February 16th, 2018