Young bowlers George Gowler and George Weldon have been awarded their first professional contracts.

The two academy graduates have each signed two-year rookie deals with Northamptonshire.

“George Gowler has been with us on the academy for three years now and has come through the ranks nicely.” Northamptonshire Academy Director Kevin Innes said.

The 19-year-old has consistently represented Northamptonshire’s Second Eleven in red ball cricket in the last couple of years, taking regular wickets in economical spells.

“He’s a tall, ‘hit the deck’ type bowler who’s really impressed with his pace and bounce and particularly the control he brings around off stump.”

“He’s quite a traditional English conditions seam bowler who’ll always find movement through the air and off the pitch.”

Gowler joins the professional squad alongside 18-year-old George Weldon.

“George Weldon is a product of our partnership with Bucks cricket so it’s great to see that bearing fruit.” Innes said.

Weldon was part of the Northamptonshire Under 18 side that won the ECB Under 18 50 over County Cup earlier this summer and was a standout performer in the showcase fixture against Granada.

“He’s burst onto the scene this year really, he’s a bit later to cricket than some others but he’s already been around the first team and playing for the twos as well.

“He’s got real pace and is quite skiddy. He’s got a great toolkit for white ball cricket with excellent yorkers and bouncers, I think he could be dangerous in shorter form stuff, particularly at the death.”

“We feel as though these two have a really good chance to push forward and we wish them well with their rookie deals.”