A TEENAGE cricket star from Tynedale has spoken of his shock at being called up to represent Northumberland’s senior side.

Aged just 16, right-arm bowler Matthew Scott earned a Minor Counties call up against Bedfordshire last year, following a stellar season for club and county at U17 level.

Scott won a string of awards for his successful 2019 - he was named Northumberland U17 player of the year, as well as the bowler of the year award voted by the Northumberland Cricket Board Officials Association and the North East emerging cricketer of the year.

Meanwhile, his performances for Tynedale Cricket Club saw him claim the young player of the year, the first XI captain’s award and the most improved player in senior cricket.

Scott said: “I never thought I’d be playing for Northumberland CCC at the age of 16 so it was a big shock when I was asked to play.

“I loved playing for Northumberland. It was a great learning experience playing with and against a standard of cricketers which I had not done before.”

Scott’s debut came back in June against Bedfordshire, recording economical figures of 0-30 from 11 overs bowling up front to former Northamptonshire and Glamorgan batsman James Kettleborough.

He said: “Playing Minor Counties at the age of 16 benefited me in many ways.

“Fielding 90 overs at such intensity was a challenge which I’d never experienced before as well as experimenting with different tactics against batsmen throughout the day. This isn’t as important when playing age group cricket or limited overs cricket so was a good skill to learn.

“The main thing I learned playing Minor Counties cricket is that you’ve got to be on it right until the last ball of the day.”

On the back of the 2019 season, Scott was looking forward to what 2020 had in store, as he looked to push for a place in the National Counties side for this summer.

He said: “My aim for the current season would have been hopefully to continue to perform in age group county cricket and push harder for selection in National Counties cricket to gain more experience in the higher standard of cricket.”