Surrey County Cricket Club are delighted to publicly introduce the eight players who have joined the boy’s academy for 2022.
Raguvaran Aravinthan, Sheridon Gumbs, Tom Humphreys, Tim Lloyd, Yousef Majid, Oliver Pascall, Krish Patel & Ben Townsend are the inductees for this coming year.
All eight players have been part of the Club’s talent pathways programme for several years, featuring in County Cup matches at a number of age groups and joining overseas tours as well as training regularly with the county coaches.
The Surrey Academy is the final stage of the pathways development programme, with players selected based on their perceived potential to play the game professionally in the future.
16 of the current men’s squad were all part of the Surrey pathway during their junior careers, with rookies Nathan Barnwell and Tom Lawes the latest to progress to professional contracts in October 2021.
As well as high quality experienced coaches including former professional cricketers like Chris Taylor & Matt Spriegel, the Academy also includes strength & conditioning work, physiotherapy & sports science and sport psychology provision. An extensive match programme including age-group and 2nd XI cricket will be devised for each player to aid their progress.
You can find out more about the Academy & Performance department here.
Head of Talent Pathways Taylor said: “We’re delighted to announce the eight players that have progressed to the Surrey Academy for 2022. All eight players have been part of our pathway programme for a number of years but this is a crucial stage in their development.
“This opportunity will provide them with everything they need to be the best cricketers they can be and as with every year, our goal is to forge as many professional cricketers as we can from this group.”
You can find out a little more about each player and their favourite achievement to date in their own words below.
Raguvaran Aravinthan
D.O.B: 09/09/2003
Role: Batter
Club in Surrey: Ashtead CC
Best career moment so far: During the first 3 Day game of the 2021 season, scoring 150 runs for Surrey U18 in one innings against Essex U18 is currently my best career moment. It was a personal highlight as I was a huge contributor towards the team total, and it also boosted my confidence for the rest of the season.
Sheridon Gumbs
D.O.B: 25/05/2004
Role: Batter
Club: Slough CC
Best career moment so far: My standout career highlight is my performance at Taunton Vale in 2021. It was my debut 4-day game for the 2nd XI against Somerset CCC. Amidst the uncertainty of play due to poor weather and the unfortunate surprise of a positive COVID test amongst players, I was still extremely eager to get out onto the pitch and share the experience with an array of talented players, including 4 fellow academy cricketers. I became an ‘Academy Graduate’ and scored 86 runs off 137 balls to compliment this great achievement.
Tom Humphreys
D.O.B: 20/09/2004
Role: All-rounder
Club in Surrey: Guildford CC
Best career moment so far: I have had several cricket moments that I am proud of – including being part of Surrey’s u15 National Champion Team in 2019 as an U14. I played and enjoyed my Junior Cricket at Rowledge, before moving to Guildford in 2020 where I made my first team debut at the age of 16, taking 5 for 28 against Valley End. However, my proudest highlight so far would be when I was given the privileged role of the RGS Guildford 1st XI captaincy as a fifth former for the 2021 season and scoring my maiden 1st XI hundred against KCS Wimbledon.
Tim Lloyd
D.O.B: 28/02/2004
Role: Batter
Club in Surrey: Wimbledon CC
Best career moment so far: Being part of the Surrey team in the ECB U15 County Cup in 2019 and making a not out contribution of 71 in the National Stages A Division Final against Yorkshire to see Surrey home with 5 overs to spare.
Yousef Majid
D.O.B: 08/09/2003
Role: Spinner
Club: Chesham CC
Best career moment so far: Making my Surrey 2nd XI debut at the start of the 2021 season was a proud moment for me. Then to go on and get the wicket of international cricketer Jofra Archer and finishing with figures of 18-5-45-3 would be a highlight of my career so far.
Oliver Pascall
D.O.B: 26/10/2005
Role: Wicket keeper/batter
Club in Surrey: Walton-on-Thames CC
Best career moment so far: Playing in my first 2nd eleven championship game vs Middlesex at 15 years of age. I batted for 3 hours against first-class bowlers and kept wicket. It gave me an idea of the level of commitment, dedication and the playing standard needed to play at the top level and i thoroughly enjoyed my first taste of professional cricket.
Krish Patel
D.O.B: 02/12/2005
Role: Batter
Club in Surrey: Esher CC
Best career moment so far: In the 50 over game last year, we need 90 off the last 10 overs, and I scored 48 off about 30 balls and Surrey U18 won against Sussex at Blackstone. In addition, making my 2nd team debut last year and playing with some of the players I have idolised growing up.
Ben Townsend
D.O.B: 30/04/2003
Role: Seamer
Club in Surrey: Stoke D’Abernon CC
Best career moment so far: Taking 3/39 off 18 overs in my first 2nd Xl 4-day game. As well as having the opportunity to captain the U18’s in red-ball cricket in 2021.
