Positive news from English cricket has been hard to come by currently, but the exploits of one young cricketer is sure to bring some cheer to Cumbria.

Tom Aspinwall, 17, from Kendal, is currently playing for England in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup in St Kitts and Nevis, where the team got off to a flying start, crushing current holders Bangladesh by 7 wickets in their first group game at Warner Park.

Tom, who plays for Kendal Cricket Club and Lancashire Academy, started playing junior cricket for Kendal around 6 years ago.

He has attended Sedbergh School for the last 5 years where he has benefited from the guidance of Martin Speight, the ex-Sussex and Durham player, who is now Director of Cricket at Sedbergh.

Andy Dugdale from Kendal Cricket Club said: "School commitments allowing, Tom is a regular member of Kendal first team where his raw pace has contributed with the ball.

"He is also a very talented right handed batsmen.

"Being selected for the U-19 world cup with England obviously provides him with a wonderful opportunity and a great cricketing experience.

"It's fantastic for him, his family, Sedbergh School and Kendal Cricket Club to see one of our own representing England.

The Club send our very best wishes to Tom and England over in St Kitts.

"Hopefully the U-19s can have a very successful tournament, helping to restore some pride in English cricket at a time when its badly needed!"

Tom's pace bowling netted him 2 wickets as England skittled Bangladesh out for just 97 runs.

Tom bats at number 9 in the order for England, and Martin Speight spoke of Tom's development and potential:

"In the last 15 years we've had some quality players at Sedbergh, and Tom is up there with any of them, with all-round ability. He's always been the stand-out player in his age group - it's been a shame though that he's missed out on so much cricket over the last 2 years, which should have been crucial in his development, because of Covid.

"He's captain of the school team for 2022 - he's been with us training at 6.30am every day.

"Tom was the youngest player to get onto the Lancashire Academy a couple of years ago, and has all of the attributes to make it in first-class cricket."