From the KYC Presentation Day at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, 22nd August 2010. Photograph courtesy of David Turner

The Kent Young Cricketers’ Presentation Day took place on 22nd August 2010 before Kent’s ClydeBank 40 match against Nottinghamshire at St Lawrence.

During the presentation, thanks were given to all parents and family for their continued support throughout the winter and season. Kent Young Cricketers also thanked all the umpires, ground staff, tea ladies and scorers who had helped run such a successful programme.  A big ‘thank you’ was also given to all the coaches and managers who contributed so much time and energy in helping players develop. A final special mention went to Ray Willis, who recently won a Sky Sports Coach award.

Throughout the season there has been plenty to celebrate within the Kent Young Cricketers system:
 
• Under 17 boys are through to the ECB Cup Final having won both forms of the competition last year.

• Both the Under 12 and Under 13 Boys teams won the Taunton festival and, earlier this month, the Under 13s won the ECB Under 13 Southern Counties League.

• We have two players who have played for England Under 19s against Sri Lanka so congratulations to Adam Ball and Daniel Bell Drummond, who have both progressed through the KYC pathway and were members of the Kent Academy.

• Chris Piesley who last year played in the winning 17s team made his Kent First XI debut v Pakistan and performed well with 43 in the second innings.

• His brother, Sean, was a member of the winning Under 15 London and East team at the Bunbury Festival.

We would like to think that the next Joe Denly, James Tredwell, Sam Northeast, Alex Blake or Matt Coles, who have all played regularly for Kent this season, and who have progressed through the KYC system, are currently playing age group cricket.

Girl’s cricket remains very strong, starting with an impressive Under 11 programme. The girls are currently playing their last club games and final fixtures, or are on their way to Taunton but Kent cricket recognises their tremendous achievements at age group level.

Successes include:

• Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 teams through to the semi-finals of the county age group ECB competition, which is a fantastic achievement.

• The senior womens’ team are currently top of the County Championship table having won the regional round of the 20/20 ECB competition and will soon be playing in the national final. Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway remain key players within the England womens’ set up, with Lydia on the shortlist for ICC International Cricketer of the Year.

• Tamsin Beaumont has also represented England and remains a part of the ECB Development Academy.

• Deanna Cooper, Daveena Pithia and Dee Tress have all been selected in the ECB Junior Super 4s regional competition showing that women and girls cricket remains strong in Kent.

The individual presentations were awarded as follows:

Under 11 Boys
Leading run scorer: Matthew Barker
Leading wicket taker: Jan Gray
Fielding: Nathan Baxter

Under 12 Emerging Spitfires Boys
Leading run scorer: Kai Appleby
Leading wicket taker: Freddie Brushett
Fielding: Ian McLean

Under 13 Boys
Leading run scorer: Piers Richardson
Leading wicket taker: Ben Johnson
Fielding: Michael Waller

Under 14 Emerging Spitfires Boys
Leading run scorer: George Baker White
Leading wicket taker: Christian Stent and Harry Chapman
Fielding: Matt Hammond

Under 15 Boys
Leading run scorer: Sean Piesley
Leading wicket taker: Jack Laraman
Fielding: Jack Laraman

Under 17 Boys (still undecided because there is one match to go. The contenders are as follows)
Leading run scorer: Charlie Nash or Fabian Cowdrey
Leading wicket taker: Ben Kemp or Fabian Cowdrey
Fielding: Tom Chapman or Lorne Burns

The girls and women will hold a separate presentation evening later in the year.

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