Hammond Delight At England Under-19 Selection
18 July 2013
Miles Hammond has been named in the England Under-19 squad for next month’s tri-series against Bangladesh Under-19s and Pakistan Under-19s.
The 17-year-old off-spinner learned of his selection while playing in the LV=County Championship match against Worcestershire at the Cheltenham Festival where as a boy he collected autographs.
Cheltenham-born Miles last represented England Under-19s in a one-day international against South Africa in Cape Town in February.
Northants player Ben Duckett will captain the 14-man squad for the tournament, which takes place at various venues between August 6th and 16th.
The news capped a perfect week for Miles, who used to be taken to the Cheltenham Festival by his dad while he was growing up.
He told this website: "It is great experience for me playing for England Under-19s and this will be another part of the learning curve.
"Pakistan Under-19s and Bangladesh Under-19s will have batsmen used to playing spin so it will be a tough test and I should be also able to learn by watching the spinners in both those teams.
"Playing first team cricket for Gloucestershire has certainly helped as far as getting England recognition is concerned. It was no more than a pipedream for me at the start of the season."
Miles went on to talk about his childhood in Cheltenham and how much playing in the Festival means to him.
"It is very special," he said. "I remember getting an autograph off Chris Tremlett one year and to go from that to actually playing myself is unbelievable.
"My parents were thrilled when I was selected to face Worcestershire. At least they don't have to look after me at the Festival anymore!."
After living in Cheltenham for four years Miles moved to Oxford where he was educated.
