A YOUNG cricketer has proved he is Abell by name and able by nature.

Thirteen-year-old Jamie Abell is believed to be the youngest ever wicket taker for Bromyard's first team after he took 4-24 from eight overs during a friendly at Rushwick.

What was even more remarkable about Abell's feat was that the match was his debut for the side.

The eye-catching performance by the young off-spinner seems certain to have guaranteed his spot in either Bromyard's first or second team this campaign.

"He's been playing for Bromyard since he was eight or nine," said Edd Oliver, the Bromyard secretary.

"He's an off-spinner but can bowl a good leg-spin delivery and googly too.

"He was not even sure he would get a bowl but he seemed to have an Ian Botham-like magic."

His heroics couldn't prevent a three-wicket defeat for Bromyard in the warm-up match last week but his performance turned plenty of heads in the direction of the youngster who also plays for Herefordshire Under-13s.

"He also bats towards the top of the order with Herefordshire as well," said Oliver.

"We've had a couple of 15-year-old's play for Bromyard first team before but I'm fairly sure this is the first 13-year-old.

"He's one of the best players in the county for his age group.

"Hopefully he'll become a very good player but we don't want to rush him into it."