Nine boys selected for 2022 Academy

Nine players have been selected for the Sussex Cricket Boys Academy in 2022.

The group recently began their winter programme, and will now start working with new Academy Director, Mike Yardy, who has taken up his role.

Seven of the players have progressed through the Sussex system, while two – Dylan Driscoll and Zach Lion-Cachet – are products of the Oxfordshire Cricket pathway which is run in partnership with Sussex Cricket.

Sussex Cricket’s Junior Pathway Manager, Phil Hudson, who has been supervising the Academy programme ahead of Mike Yardy’s arrival, said: “Whilst the previous 18 months were challenging for all associated with the Sussex Cricket Pathway, the performances of several of last year’s Academy intake in the first team environment demonstrated that the programme continues to produce cricketers with the attributes needed to perform at the highest level.

“The 2022 intake is an exciting group of players who have all been invited to join the programme for the first time. The group covers all disciplines of the game and all those included produced outstanding performances for Sussex and Oxfordshire.

“I am looking forward to supporting this talented group of cricketers further to ensure their continued development, working alongside new Academy Director Mike Yardy”

Full details of the nine players are available below. 

Frankie Cripps

Under-16, Frankie is a pupil at Sussex Cricket’s state school partner, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy and is part of the Aldridge Cricket Academy. An all-rounder who bowls right-arm seam, Frankie plays his club cricket at Lewes Priory CC. He highlighted his capacity for fast run-scoring with a 93-ball 128 for the Under-15s against Essex.

Dylan Driscoll

A right-handed batter and right-arm seam bowler, under-17 Dylan is one of two Oxfordshire juniors to be included in the 2022 Academy. He scored four centuries ECB county age-group competitions in 2021, including 130 on debut for Sussex Under-16s against Kent. He was part of the West team at the Bunbury Festival this summer, scoring 68 against the London & East team. Currently a pupil at St. Edward’s School in Oxford, Dylan plays club cricket for Cumnor CC.

Bertie Foreman

Under-18  off-spinner Bertie made his Sussex 2nd XI debut this season. He took eleven wickets in a match against the Hampshire Under-19s this summer, including 7 for 39 in the second innings. He was selected for the ECB Super 4s competition for the most promising young players in the country, and took 3-19 in a match for the London & East region. Schooled at Hurstpierpoint College, Bertie plays club cricket at Preston Nomads CC.

Sam Henderson

Sam is an under-17 right-handed batter who also bowls seam. Another Hurstpierpoint College pupil, Sam made 63 against Oxfordshire Under-18s and 57 against Kent Under-16s this year. His club is Roffey CC.

Zach Lion-Cachet

Zach is an under-18 that has progressed through the Oxfordshire pathway. He is a batting all-rounder that bowls off-spin and can also keep wicket. This summer, he made 132 for Oxfordshire Under-18s against Sussex and made his Sussex 2nd XI debut against Middlesex. As an under-15, he was part of the Bunbury Festival alongside current Sussex professional and Oxfordshire pathway product, James Coles. Zach attends Bradfield College.

Henry Rogers

Under-16 Henry is a right-handed batter who made a century against Kent Under-15s this season. Also a seam bowler, the Hurstpierpoint College pupil was selected for London & East in the Under-15 Bunbury tournament in 2021.

Rahul Tangirala

Rahul is an under-16 right-handed batter and leg-spinner from Horsham CC. He made 96 against Middlesex Under-15s last summer and was also called up for the Bunbury Festival. He is educated outside of Sussex at Whitgift School.

Charlie Tear

Right-handed wicketkeeper-batter, Charlie has already represented Sussex 2nd XI and Scotland Under-19s despite being an under-17. He made an unbeaten 97 against Surrey Under-18s in 2021. He plays for West Chiltington CC and is under the cricketing supervision of Chris Adams at Seaford College.

Sam Topping

Sam is an under-16 who bats left-handed and keeps wicket. He comes from the same club – Waringstown CC in Northern Ireland - as Sussex pro, Jack Carson and has represented Ireland at various age groups. Sam is now a sixth form student at Brighton College.