The sun has been shiny on the Academy players throughout the last two months with many enjoying the heat with some great performances for many different teams around the country.
18-year-old Emilio Gay has been arguably the stand out player, scoring his maiden 2nd X1 century in only his second appearance. Emilio also scored 66 against Glamorgan a few weeks after and has been a regular ever since in this environment. Emilio can be found playing for Northampton Saints on a Saturday, where his contributions are helping the club’s successes.
Ben Claydon has enjoyed himself after returning from injury, with two half-centuries in as many innings against Wales Under-17s in the three-day Under-17 competition. He then carried this fine form into the 2nd XI where he scored 89 against a Yorkshire team who are always strong and tough to score runs against. Ben is also developing his bowling, and he followed these fine batting displays with two wickets against Leicestershire’s 2nd XI.
Ewan Cox is approaching 500 runs for the season and finding form at just the right time having scored a century for his club side, Horton House, against Brixworth. He has been in and around the 2nd X1 and is looking to cement a regular spot and produce some match winning performances.
Charlie Home has been back playing for the 2nd XI after an injury scare to his finger and impressed by scoring 69 against the Leicestershire 2nd XI. Charlie can be spotted wheeling his craft at Northampton Saints with both bat and ball, where the club is having plenty of success.
Andrew Bramley is back playing for Burwell and Exning CC in Suffolk and contributed in his first two games with a half-century against Horsford, followed by a century against Frinton. Andrew is at The Keys School in Cambridge, for whom he scored hundreds against Kimbolton and Greshams. Away from club and school cricket, he scored a dominant 172 for Northamptonshire Under-17s against Staffordshire Under-17s in the three-day competition.
Will Heathfield has been recovering from a shoulder injury, but has successfully contributed towards his club side Old Northamptonians, helping them to the top of the table of the Northamptonshire Premier League. Against Oundle Town Will showed his ability with both bat and ball scoring 53 and taking 3-34.
Harry Gouldstone has scored heavily within this period of time with a magnificent 144 against Wales a few days after scoring 54 against Leicestershire 2nd XI in a T20 game. Harry is playing for Brixworth on a Saturday in the Premier League.
Flynn Drinkell scored 94 against Wales, contributing to an opening partnership of 210 with Gouldstone. Drinkell also scored 73 against Warwickshire a few weeks before the Wales match.
James Cronie is playing in the Under-17s, two years above his natural age group. His talent was clear when he hit a brilliant 114 against Warwickshire just a few days after scoring another hundred for the Under-15s against Staffordshire. James has also earned himself selection for the Midlands Under-15s team which headed to the Bunbury Festival.
Gus Miller hit a 21-ball half-century against Worcestershire in a T20 game for Northamptonshire Under-19s a few weeks after claiming 5-26 for Bedford School against Rugby School.
Connor Haddow has been enjoy lots of success with his club side and has taken two four-wicket hauls. Connor has been injuried in recent times with a thumb injury and is looking forward to returning to the field this weekend and have a strong finish to the year.