Young Cricketer joins Middlesex
Date released: 9 June 2008
MCC Young Cricketer John Simpson will be making Lord’s his permanent home, after signing a professional contract with Middlesex.
Simpson has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Lord's The wicket-keeper batsman, who only joined the 'YC' scheme earlier this year, has enjoyed an excellent start to the 2008 season. He caught the eye of the Middlesex's coaches in a Second XI game against Essex recently.
Simpson's quick-fire 64, after being promoted up the order to bat at number 4, convinced Crusaders' coach Richard Scott he would be a valuable addition to the Middlesex staff.
He joins their squad immediately, on a contract which lasts until the end of the 2009 season.
Hard work pays off
Simpson had played five trial matches for Nottinghamshire but Middlesex's swift recognition means he has a substantial part of the season to try to cement his place as another step towards fulfilling his dream of playing for England.
Simpson said: "I’m delighted to have signed for Middlesex but I won’t be getting complacent. I’m still at the bottom of the ladder fighting with lots of others to improve and become a County regular and hopefully one day play for England.
"I'm ready to work hard and take the opportunity I’ve been given.
"Being an MCC Young Cricketer really taught me to make the most of the time and facilities available at Lord’s.
"We’re lucky to have coaches in the form of Clive Radley and Mark Wright who are always willing to work with us, no matter what time of day, and the fantastic facilities on our doorstep: nets, gym, Indoor School, meant that if you put a lot in, you’d get a lot out.
"I worked hard, started well and am now really excited about the rest of the season."
Radley: coaches many players who've gone on to county cricket Clive Radley, Head Coach of MCC Young Cricketers, who has overseen Simpson's progress said: "John’s a very talented wicket-keeper batsman and has done well on the circuit for England under-19s as well as at County level with Nottinghamshire.
"He’s risen up the ranks fast and is a very good professional so we have every faith he’ll do very well. We all wish him the best of luck."
New recruits
Simpson’s progress into the professional ranks will act as an inspiration to the latest recruits to the MCC Young Cricketers’ scheme.
Three new players: Oliver Saffell, Bill Moulton-Day and Michael Richardson, will join the 'YCs' over the next fortnight.
Saffell is a fast/medium seam bowler from Derby who has risen through the ranks at The County Ground to represent Derbyshire at all levels from 1st XI down.
Moulton-Day, at just 17, becomes the youngest MCC Young Cricketer. His fast bowling caught Radley and his assistant coach Mark Wright’s attention when he came in from Suffolk to take part in a course at Lord's over Easter.
Richardson is a wicket-keeper batsman and will the back up to Ned Eckersley behind the stumps after Simpson's departure.
Can you spot the next first-class cricketer in the MCC's Young Cricketer ranks? Read through the 2008 squad's profiles and why not go along to watch a match: YC's: 2008 fixtures.
