Worcestershire starlet Barnard gets England call-up (From Stourbridge News)

Worcestershire starlet Barnard gets England call-up

9:00am Wednesday 19th December 2012 in News

WORCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Ed Barnard has been included in the 15-strong England Under 19 squad for the forthcoming tour of South Africa.

The 17-year-old has been a member of the New Road club’s academy and already has England honours having captained the under 15s in a t20 tournament.

Barnard, from Shrewsbury, is a right-hand batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler.

Leicestershire batsman Shiv Thakor has been appointed tour captain of the under 19 squad and the team will play two four-day Tests and five one-day internationals against their South Africa counterparts early next year.

The first Test will be at Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town, from January 27 and the second at Boland Park, Paarl, from February 3. The first ODI is on February 13 and the last eight days later.

The tour, which runs from January 23 to February 21 2013, is the initial part of the preparation for the Under 19 World Cup in February 2014 in the United Arab Emirates.

The squad therefore predominantly consists of under 18 and under 17 players.