Young cricketers bowled over to play at county level
Two of Guernsey’s promising U16 cricketers are looking to make their mark in Hampshire age-group representation.
Charlie Forshaw and Harry Johnson combined to take four wickets for the Hampshire U16s at the weekend in a 47-run victory over Somerset, led by Guernsey all-rounder David Hooper.
The young seam bowlers were on their second trip to the UK to represent the county after playing against Surrey earlier this month, and they both quickly made an impression with the ball again.
Forshaw, in particular, caused Somerset damage early on as he dismissed both openers.
He also claimed the scalp of Thomas Rew, whose older brother James is the leading run-scorer in Division One of the 2023 County Championship.
Johnson came into the fold soon after and got a wicket of his own, as he put in an economical performance to finish with figures of 6.1-1-16-1.
The boys’ efforts helped Hampshire bowl out Somerset for 190 after 44.4 overs to claim a comfortable victory, and they both said that they were enjoying their chance to play for the southern county.
‘It’s great fun – it is not often you get to go away and play at that level, so I am really enjoying the experience,’ said Johnson.
‘Over here you play the same people a lot of the time, and it’s nice to be able to play in England against new people at a very high level.’
Forshaw, who played for the GCB XI against Hampshire’s academy side earlier this summer, said: ‘The standard is high – it is definitely much more difficult and a big step up, but it is really good.
‘We are planning to go back over later in the year to be involved in winter training, and hopefully we can get in the squad.’
Guernsey director of cricket Jeremy Frith also discussed the progress of the two young bowlers, and said he was ‘delighted’ with their performances.
‘It’s great for the lads to be able to go over and be a part of a new environment, and they are definitely holding their own.
‘We have always wanted to have a strong link with a county side, we did have it with Sussex but not so much any more, so it’s important to have this connection with Hampshire in order to create these opportunities.
‘Now we are very keen to catch up with the guys, find out what they have thought of the experience and take the next steps from there.’
