Hamza Shaikh is set to represent Warwickshire in a First Class Counties Select XI to face the West Indies as part of the tourists Test preparations.
The 18-year-old is part of a 13-player squad that will play a three-day game against the Windies at Beckenham starting on Wednesday 3 July.
Shaikh is the second youngest member of the invitational squad – only Notts’ teen spinner Farhan Ahmed is younger – and Bears Director of Cricket Gavin Larsen believes his selection is testament to the progress he’s made.
“The game offers a great opportunity for Hamza to test himself against a full international team,” added Larsen.
“He’s a player of real talent and these types of opportunities can only serve to help grow his game. This match will be an ideal lead-in to the two Under-19s Test Matches against Sri Lanka in early July that Hamza is likely to be part of.”
Shaikh, from Birmingham, has made nine List A appearances for Warwickshire with an average of 25.40 and a high score of 38 in the Metro Bank One Day Cup win at Somerset last season.
The First Class Counties invitational squad features upcoming players from across 11 first-class counties and provides an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition.
ECB Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney, said: “We’re delighted to have selected a high-potential group that we know will thrive against the West Indies. It is a brilliant opportunity for some of the most talented players to show their strengths as future stars of the game. We are looking forward to seeing them develop, perform and enjoy the occasion.”
FCC Select XI squad: Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire), Sonny Baker (Somerset), Harry Duke (Yorkshire), Bertie Foreman (Sussex), Ben Geddes (Surrey), Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Will Luxton (Yorkshire), Ben McKinney (Durham), Jamal Richards (Essex), Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire), Harry Singh (Lancashire), John Turner (Hampshire).
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