Warwickshire Pathway duo Theo Wylie and Oliver Dandy have become the tenth and eleventh members of Warwickshire's Academy for the 2022-23 cohort.
Progressing through the Emerging Player Programme (EPP), the pair have been selected on the back of some impressive performances in matchplay and training, leading to a significant upturn in their development.
Wylie (see above), 17, is a talented all-rounder who has featured heavily for the Second XI this year. Batting right-handed and bowling left-arm spin, the Shrewsbury School pupil has already made an influence taking a pair of wickets and reaching a half-century against Somerset.
Playing for Shifnal CC in the Birmingham & District Premier League, Wylie was also called up for his native Shropshire (NCCA 1st XI) for the first time in June.
Dandy, 16, is a left-handed wicket-keeper batter who hails from Coventry and plays for Kenilworth Wardens in the Birmingham & District Premier League. A student at Rugby School and previously Finham Park School, Dandy made his Second XI debut last year at the tender age of 15.
“Theo and Oliver have made significant strides this summer and this opportunity is well deserved,” said High Performance Manager Paul Greetham.
“Still in their teens, both cricketers have the ability to keep improving and earn more game time with the Second XI and beyond.”
A total of eight players were retained or recruited into the Academy in November with Staffordshire seamer Sam Atkinson joining in March this year.
The Academy, which has a full cricketing programme and included a tour to Zimbabwe in February, is the bridge between the professional ranks and Pathway cricket.
They’ll be looking to follow in the footsteps of Hamza Shaikh, Amir Khan and pace bowler Che Simmons who all stepped up from the Academy ranks this year to be handed their first professional contracts.
“It’s really encouraging to see players moving through the Academy onto the professional staff,” added Greetham. “George Maddy and Kai Smith were both signed on rookie contracts for the One Day Cup last year, which shows the opportunities available for our young players.
“Seeing the likes of Hamza and Amir earn those deals can only inspire this next crop to become professional cricketers.”
Additional tickets released for West Indies Test
A small number of tickets have been released for the first three days of our Men’s Test against West Indies this summer (26-30 July).
Over 80,000 tickets have been sold across the five days and remaining tickets are expected to go quickly.
Hospitality and Premium Tickets are still available for all days.
