The Cricket Paper

It will be great to learn from a star like Chris

- Eddie Byrom Somerset opening batsman

When it comes to role models as a left-handed opener, Somerset youngster Eddie Byrom couldn’t ask for any better than Marcus Trescothic­k and new batting coach Chris Rogers.

The Zimbabwean-born 19-year-old has an Irish passport and has been in the UK for two years, signing a scholarshi­p contract at Somerset until the end of 2017. And this summer he will be able to call on the expertise of Rogers, who this week was announced as the new batting coach at Taunton, while Trescothic­k has already helped Byrom in his developmen­t.

He said:“I played a couple of second XI matches with Marcus. He’s been great with all the youngsters because his profession­alism and work ethic is something to aspire to.

“He’s always offering advice and he even came down to the nets just to watch me bat so he’s really willing to help like that. He’s a legend in his own right at the club – he’s someone that I look up to and have been able to learn from.

“In the coming season it will be great to learn from Chris Rogers, who’s coming back as a batting coach, and Dean Elgar, who is coming over as well. I think I’ve just got to keep working hard and pushing for that spot regardless of whether Marcus retires or not. That’s in his hands, but I’ve got to make sure that if that spot becomes available, I try to make it mine and score as many runs as I can.”

Byrom is currently playing out in New Zealand trying to master his off-stump as he looks to earn a shot in the Somerset first XI in 2017. And he explained that the key for him this winter is to develop greater consistenc­y in his batting if he is to really establish himself at the top level. He added:“I think being in a new environmen­t develops you as a person, which is great. Being in New Zealand and away from things you know is great to develop you mentally and as a person to get to know yourself.

“From a skills point of view I guess every opener sometimes has a struggle around the off-stump, so definitely I’ve been looking to tighten up around there. And also there are some technical issues I’ve had to look at to make sure I can play all the shots and get into good positions. I think I was a bit limited last season so I’ve looked at my stance and tried to help my game in terms of moving my feet.”

It was a bold move for Byrom to leave Zimbabwe and his family for England as a teenager, but he has no regrets. He said:“Signing the scholarshi­p contract was the next step to becoming a profession­al, which is my absolute dream. I was hoping for a better performanc­e from myself throughout last season.

“Though it was ok, I was really hoping to do well in second XI cricket and maybe push for a contract, which unfortunat­ely wasn’t the case. But this winter I’m working really hard to make sure it happens this coming season.”

To spend a season overseas visit: www.internatio­nalcricket­programme.com Full time cricket programmes for gap year students and young profession­al cricketers

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