Howzat for an opportunity!
A cricket official from Wearside will get the chance to take to the national stage after being appointed to score in an England youth international match at Durham later this month.
Sam Blacklock, from Hetton, will score in the four-day test match between England Under-19s fixture and South Africa at Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street, from July 16 to 19.
Sam, 20, who scores for Eppleton in the North East Premier League, said: “I honestly couldn’t believe it when Sue Jones from the ECB rang me.
“To have the opportunity to score for an international team is such a great honour, and I am really looking forward to scoring the test match.
“I scored my first-ever fixture at Gateshead Fell for Eppleton under-15s in 2008 and never did I think an opportunity like this would come up.
“It should hopefully be a great few days, I just hope the weather stays fine.”
Sam was appointed to the game by ECBACO National Scoring Officer Sue Jones, who said: “Sam has worked so hard and thoroughly deserve this opportunity, he will learn a lot from this experience, on home territory.”
Eppleton Cricket Club director of cricket John Smithson said: “Sam certainly deserves this recognition for all the hard work he has put into his scoring duties. Everyone at Eppleton congratulates Sam for this outstanding achievement and wish him all the best for the game.”
England under-19s, who lost to Australia in the quarter finals of the ICC World Cup, have a busy summer with a series of one-day internationals, one being hosted by South Northumberland as well as a four-day test at Scarborough Cricket Club, which took place on Sunday.