Rapidly developing left-hander who scored 632 runs in nine matches in his first season of regular Second XI cricket, his best knock being an unbeaten 109 against Glamorgan Seconds. Also featured prominently in the successful Harrogate team which reached the semi-finals of the ECB Club Cricket Championship and came second in the Yorkshire League. Awarded a Yorkshire Scholarship in 1996 and 1997 and joined the Academy the following year.