Any young cricketer who successfully executes the challenging art of left-arm wrist-spin will gain attention, and Freddie Heldreich is doing just that.

Elegant in his approach to the crease and in delivery, the 21-year-old has already made himself a regular member of the Steelbacks’ Vitality Blast side, making 12 appearances in the competition in 2022 and claiming 14 wickets. They included career best figures of 3/22 in the Steelbacks’ first victory of the campaign against Durham, reigning the visitors in at Wantage Road as they seemed well set to chase 224. The youngest head the calmest head in Northamptonshire colours.

The academy graduate also recorded figures of 2/33 in a T20 fixture against the touring Indians at Wantage Road, dismissing Ishan Kishan and Dinesh Karthik, only increasing the excitement around Heldreich’s potential.