Somerset young cricketer Neil Edwards has been selected to play for the England Under 19's Development of Excellence team to play against India in a three day match at Sleaford Cricket Club in Lincolnshire later this month.

Eighteen year old Edwards, who hails from Cornwall is part of the Academy set up at Somerset County Cricket Club, and plays his club cricket for Seaton in the Devon League.

The tall left handed opener came to prominence earlier in the summer when he played two impressive innings on his first team debut for the Cidermen against a strong West Indies `A' side at the County Ground.

Mark Garaway, who is Director of the south west Centre of Excellence at Taunton, as well as the Somerset assistant coach told me: "This is a reward for a lot of hard work over this season. He has come almost from nowhere a couple of months ago to being a very good prospect."

The Director of the Centre of Excellence continued: "I told Tim Boon (England Under 19's coach) that if he was looking for someone to stand up to the quick bowlers during the trip to Australia this winter then he should take a look at Neil. He is still a long way from being the finished article but this is a wonderful chance for him."

Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me: "Neil Edwards is a young player who has worked hard at his game and taken his chance when it has come along. He has played a number of games for Somerset Second's and looked good when he opened the batting for the first team against the West Indies `A'."

Today Neil was playing for Somerset Second XI against Yorkshire at the County Ground, and as he left the field for lunch he told me: "Of course I am absolutely delighted to be chosen to play against India. This is another step up the ladder for me and will hopefully lead to bigger and better things in the future."

© SOMERSET