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- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
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- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
Andy Hurry (left), the director of high performance Somerset, Sam Wyatt-Haines and coach Greg Kennis
By RICHARD WALSH
ALL-rounder Sam Wyatt-Haynes is making the most of his time at Somerset Academy and plans to turn his hard winter training into performances on the field in 2014.
The 17-year-old is a top order batter, who also bowls medium pace, has nothing but praise for how much help being part of the Academy is to him.
“What Somerset are offering me here is incredible and something I have wanted for a long time,” said the Blundell’s school pupil.
“Now that I have got such a high intensity program my cricket is just benefiting so much.
“Things have just gone from positive to positive for me since I joined here in the autumn and my batting, bowling and fielding skills have all improved and I hope that I can transfer this into performances during the summer.”
Sam went to school at Stover School near Newton Abbot before moving to Blundell’s.
He spent last winter on the Nottinghamshire Academy where things didn’t quite work out for him as he explained.
“It was a good program, but the distance created a few problems for me and it didn’t quite work out,” he said.
‘Fortunately, I earned a place on the Somerset Academy which is incredible.
“It has been a huge learning curve for me and taught me a lot about my game and being in this environment has been a huge help to me.”
Wyatt-Haines first played for Devon in the U10s and said one of his first coaches had a huge influence on his cricketing journey.
“Ted Ashman, who selected me for the Devon Under 10s, has been a huge influence in my life and we are still good friends now,” said Wyatt-Haines.
“On the coaching front I would have to mention Andy Fairbairn and Julian Wyatt, who have both been fundamental in my development, and now the likes of Greg Kennis at Somerset.
“Julian runs the Devon emerging player programme and took it over about four years ago since when he has done a great job and really transformed it.
“Being part of the Devon EPP was definitely a reason for me getting selected for Notts and now here with Somerset.
“Greg Kennis and myself have always had contact over the years and Jason Kerr had a lot of contact with Rob Turner at school who played a big part in helping me to get to the Academy.
“Greg and Paul Tweddle have really aided my growth since I joined to set up here at Somerset.
“They have all helped me massively, but I guess the one who I owe the most to is my dad Richard, who started to play cricket with me when I was about three and has continued to help me ever since.
“My Dad used to play cricket quite a bit and has always been keen on sport and my family has always had a sporting ethos running through it.”
Sam is in his my final year of A-levels where he is studying history, geography and PE. Once school is over he wants to focus on his cricket, at least in the short term.
“I hope to take a gap year in South Africa with a view to playing cricket. I have put university on hold to see where my cricket goes,” he said.
“Hopefully I can get the opportunity to play for Somerset 2nd XI in 2014 and I want to score runs and take wickets.
“I want to be able to develop my game at that level and then ideally I would like to get a professional contract at the County Ground.
“I am involved with the Devon Lions U19 set up – and depending on my Somerset commitments it would be good to push for a place in Devon’s Minor Counties side.”
If all goes according to plan, playing for Devon will be a stepping stone to a career in the game.
Wyatt-Haines has had a taste of a pro cricketer’s life and wants it for himself.
“I train at the County Ground three times a week – including Wednesdays when the professionals are there,” he said.
“To be able to net alongside someone like Marcus Trescothick is brilliant and to go in the gym afterwards and work with the pros makes me want to be part of that even more.
“In five years time I would love to be winning four-day championships with Somerset - and I would love to be pushing for that top spot in T20 as well and coming back with all the trophies the club deserves.”