Pardoe impresses for country and county (From Stourbridge News)

Pardoe impresses for country and county

Stourbridge teenager Matthew Pardoe has made a big breakthrough in his rise through the cricketing ranks after being named Worcestershire Academy's player of the year in their end of season awards.

The Haybridge School pupil picked up the Apollo 2000 Brian Peters accolade and was lauded by Worcs for his wonderful' season, both with the Academy and playing for England's under-15 side.

Pardoe joined the Academy at the age of 13 and has just completed his second season with the county set-up.

This year he became the youngest player to score a century for the Academy, making 100 not out in one match.

He also took part in the Bunbury Festival in Sussex at which the best 15-year-old cricketers from across the country come together to play for their respective regions - Midlands, North, South and West/Wales.

Pardoe was the leading run-scorer from the Midlands region and went on to become one of 15 players chosen to represent England at his age group.

The group was given two days rest after the festival and then they checked in at the ECB's cricket centre in Loughborough for two weeks of cricket against the Scotland under-17 and Barbados under-16 sides.

The team set a new record by winning all eight of their games.

Pardoe, who also plays for Belbroughton in the Worcester Crusader League, batted regularly in the number three berth and turned in two memorable performances, making 80 and 130 against the West Indians.

He also bowled in some of the games and claimed his first wickets against Scotland under-17s.

The successful England under-15s will begin winter training soon and can also look forward to a cricket tour in February to South Africa.