Lydiate schoolboy Tom passes Testing time with flying colours

LYDIATE sixth former Tom Hartley’s invitation to play for the MCC, arrived at the same time as his AS level results – and thankfully it was a good day all round.

For the 17-year-old Merchant Taylors left-arm spinner booked a place to play on the hallowed turf at Lords, while gaining an A and three Cs in his exams.

The request for the Lydiate lad to play in St John’s Wood, against the U16 England side, came after a good performance for his school, in their annual match against the MCC.

In total 12 players were summoned for net practice the day before, and he was delighted to get the nod for the starting eleven.

“It was unbelievable,” he told the Advertiser. “You dream of playing at Lords and it was an amazing experience.

“We fielded first, in the 50 over game, and I came on to bowl around the 20 over mark.

“I delivered my allotted 10-overs in one spell and did pretty well, finishing with 2 for 40. One of those wickets was George Lavelle, my team mate from Merchants, who was caught behind for 14. I fielded okay, without anything really exciting happening.

“At the break of innings, we had a three course meal and I was glad I didn’t have to bowl and field afterwards!”

“When it came to our innings, I scored 16 batting at number nine. In the end the England team won by 50-runs.

“After the game, players, officials and parents were invited to another three-course meal this time in the Long Room.

“There were a few speeches including one from David English. We were told there would be a number of scouts from various county teams watching at the game, but nothing has come my way so far.”

His appearance at Lords came on the back of a number of good performances with his club side Ormskirk, where he has played since the age of 13.

This season he has been a regular in the first team and also coaches the U9s every Friday.

His best bowling performance of the season came against high flyers Leigh when he took 8 for 30 in 7.4 overs in the Royal London Cup. The highpoint of his batting came against Bootle when he scored 31 not out.

The team also reached the national cup semi-final losing out to North/South Cumberland.

One of his team mates at the club is the England and Lancashire orthodox left arm spinner Simon Kerrigan, who he holds in high regard.

He continued: “I’ve a lot to learn about spin bowling and Simon, who manages to play three or four games every season, is one of the best.”