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    Hankins hits form as Glos stars impress Down Under

    29 January 2016

    Teenage batsman George Hankins (pictured) has been hitting top form in Australia ahead of the new season.

    The 19-year-old – who signed his first professional contract in September – is averaging over 70 in the top level of club cricket in South Australia and has scored 351 runs in five matches across all formats.

    George has been playing for Glenelg CC in the West End 1st Grade and is the top scorer in the league in one-day cricket.

    The Bath CC player has been training at the Darren Lehman Cricket Academy (DLCA) alongside fellow Gloucestershire youngster Brandon Gilmour.

    The Zimbabwe-born batsman is playing for Southern District in the same competition and has a top score of 64 so far.

    They have also played a number of games for the DLCA.

    Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said he was really pleased with the feedback he’d received on both of his young charges.

    He said: “I’ve had really good reports back from Australia on both George and Brandon.

    “It’s been nice to hear that they’ve both been working very hard and making the most of their opportunity. Hopefully it’s been very beneficial from both a cricket and a more holistic point of view.

    “George has done well in all the competitions he’s played in, he’s got a few tons and scored heavily.

    “We are looking forward to them coming back in March and joining up with the boys.”

    The pair, who came through the club’s Academy are among five Gloucestershire players who have headed Down Under for the winter.

    Ian Cockbain has been playing for East Torrens in the same league as George and Brandon while Jack Taylor and Will Tavare have been plying their trade for Kingston Hawthorn in Melbourne.

    Ian has also turned out for the DLCA, making 122 against the Future Stars – a match which also saw George (45) and Brandon (42) in the runs.

    In Melbourne, Jack has impressed with bat and ball, racking up 428 runs at 32.9 and taking 27 wickets at 16.41 across all forms of the game.

    Will has saved his best form for one-day cricket where he has scored 192 runs at 38.4.

    Ian returns to the UK on Feb 12, with Jack and Will following on February 23. George and Brandon will link back up with the squad in March following the end of their Darren Lehman Academy programme.

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