Schoolboy prodigy Barnard joins Worcs

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Worcestershire have signed England Under-19 starlet Ed Barnard on a two-year summer contract. All-rounder Barnard, 17, is still at Shrewsbury School where he is in the first year of his A Levels but he will be available to Worcestershire between his studies and England Under-19 commitments.

The son of former Shropshire seamer Andy Barnard has been part of Worcestershire’s youth and academy system since he was 14 and he gave an early indication of his talent by making a century on his debut for England Under-19s in the current first Youth Test against South Africa at Newlands.

It is the second time this winter that Barnard has been to South Africa, having toured there with Shrewsbury School before Christmas when he averaged 76.50. Barnard also plays Birmingham League cricket for Shrewsbury, where his father gave yeoman service for many years.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire are facing another clean-up operation after the outfield at New Road was flooded for the third time in two months. A rapid thaw of a blanket of snow, coupled with heavy rain over the weekend, caused levels in the rivers Severn and Teme to rise quickly.

It is only three weeks since the water from flooding over Christmas and New Year receded and the main concern now is what impact three floods in such quick succession might have on the square.


Date: 29/01/2013 07:15:00 by Paul Bolton
In: Worcestershire | Today |