A GROUP of talented youngsters with the potential to progress to 'higher levels of the game' have been selected for a new Emerging Player Programme (EPP).

Herefordshire Cricket has launched the programme for the most talented cricketers in Herefordshire between the ages of 13 and 16.

The new programme aims are to augment the Herefordshire County Age-Group playing programmes, to 'provide young players of high potential with crucial early development to develop the core foundations for future performance, to provide an opportunity for the assessment of future potential, and to inform selection and create better transitions'.

The two main goals for the players will be, to be considered for a place on the Worcestershire Academy at 16 or to be selected for the Herefordshire National Counties team at 19.

Six Herefordshire players have been selected from an original group of 13 who were nominated by their county coaches.

These are: Rhodri Jones (U13 Herefordshire, Burghill, Tillington and Weobley CC and Hereford Cathedral School

),Monty Kennerley (U15 Herefordshire, Wormelow CC and Monmouth School), Ollie Langford (U15 Herefordshire, Newport CC and Kingstone High School), Luke Powell (U16 Herefordshire, U18 Worcestershire, Burghill, Tillington and Weobley CC and Lady Hawkins High School), Harry Sockett (U16 Herefordshire, U18 Worcestershire, Burghill, Tillington and Weobley CC and Hereford Cathedral School) and George Stevenson (U13 Herefordshire, Burghill, Tillington and Weobley CC and Weobley High School).

Richard Skyrme, head of performance and coaching at Herefordshire Cricket said: “ These six boys were selected onto the programme for their skills, attitude and potential to progress to higher levels of the game."

The boys will have three hours training every Monday night.

Also on the programme are four Worcestershire CCC boys.

All boys will have the opportunity to represent either county in the summer and will be coached by both Herefordshire and Worcestershire coaches.

Steve Watkins, Operations Director said “ Herefordshire Cricket are privileged to have been one of the 12 National Counties to be awarded the funding for this programme. It is a great opportunity for our talented players."