Youngsters benefit from One Day Cup

For many young players who have missed out on a high-profile Hundred deal, the One Day Cup offers a big opportunity to take centre stage for their counties.

At Taunton, all-rounder Ben Green, 23, has been awarded the captaincy for the 50-over tournament as Somerset look to defend the title they won in 2019.

While he admits to nerves at following in the footsteps of the many great players to have captained the county, Green intends to seize the opportunity.

“At this stage of their career everyone's trying to aspire to be in the Hundred. It looks like it's going to be high quality and it’s going to be a great opportunity for those players to develop their career and push on, but obviously it’s brought great new opportunities for me personally, to try and develop my leadership skills.

“It’s given me a chance to captain this great club. There’s only a handful of people can say they have. So, I'm not too disheartened at missing out.”

Green says while some players may need to manage disappointment, there is still a lot to play for in the One Day Cup and an opportunity for younger players to stake a claim for a regular spot even when regulars like Tom Abell, Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton return.

“There are a lot of guys that are relatively inexperienced at this level, but it's a fantastic opportunity for them to just show what they can do, put themselves out there in front of full crowds and then hopefully progress their careers as well.”

At Middlesex, leg-spinning all-rounder Luke Hollman, 20, is looking to make the most of the chance to bowl longer spells with first-team regular Nathan Sowter away playing in the Hundred. Hollman is one of several promising youngsters who have already been given first-team experience as part of Stuart Law’s youth policy.

“I think all the younger players who are going to be given more responsibility naturally, because the more senior players are going to the Hundred,” said Hollman.

“So, I think that will certainly highlight the younger players who may have had a lack of opportunity so far, that they can have a more senior role and expose themselves to first-team level.

“I'm going to be looking to contribute as much as I can and just try and take every opportunity that I get. I'm sure every young person is looking at this One Day Cup and seeing this as a massive opportunity to really kick on.”

Green, who has captained at Second XI and age group level, can draw on a wealth of experience around him in those senior Somerset players not taking part in the Hundred.

“As a relatively inexperienced captain, I'll be leaning on those experienced guys quite a lot. The likes of Hildy [James Hildreth] and Steve Davies have played countless List A games.

“So, it will be great to have them out there as another couple of thinking heads to really give me some ideas or challenge me on what I'm trying to do and try to get the best out of the team.”

Meanwhile, Hollman took the opportunity to pick Sowter’s brains before he joined up with Oval Invincibles.

“I spoke to Sowts last week because he had a fantastic 2019 campaign, to see what he did really well in that and just try and use that learning to give myself and the squad a boost of confidence.”

Somerset open their campaign against Derbyshire today in front of an expected full house at Taunton.

“Our intentions are to defend that trophy and win that one back,” says Green. “I still think we've got the experience and the talent in the dressing room, who are certainly capable of that.”