Gloucestershire youngster Ben Charlesworth to miss start of season with dislocated shoulder

The 20-year-old batsman dived to prevent a boundary during a T20 friendly against Somerset but landed awkwardly and suffered the injury

Gloucestershire youngster Ben Charlesworth will miss the opening period of the season after dislocating his shoulder during a warmup game against Somerset.

The 20-year-old batsman, who has also taken eight first-class wickets in his 15-game career, dived to prevent a boundary during a T20 friendly but landed awkwardly and suffered the injury.

He will undergo surgery this week with the aim of returning for the latter half of the campaign; Charlesworth played in four Bob Willis Trophy matches last year, having earlier represented England in the Under-19 World Cup before the coronavirus pandemic broke out.

It is hoped that he will be the only enforced absentee for Gloucestershire ahead of their first County Championship game, which begins on Thursday against Surrey.

He has big shoes to fill, but James Harris seems an apt choice as PCA chairman

New signing Jared Warner, who joined from Yorkshire over the winter, is recovering from a side strain and being assessed.

All other players in the first team squad are currently available for selection in Ian Harvey’s first competitive fixture since taking over from Richard Dawson as interim head coach.

Subscribe today and receive The Cricketer’s centenary issue – six issues for £19.21. Click here