Shoaib Bashir named NV Play young players of the year by Cricket Writers' Club

Shoaib Bashir claimed the main award at the Cricket Writers’ Club lunch at the Kia Oval on Tuesday to cap off a remarkable rise in his career.

Bashir was the latest recipient of the NV Play Young Player of the Year award in recognition of his own impressive development.

In the summer of 2022 Bashir was spotted playing in an Under 18 match against Somerset by Matt Drakeley who recommended that the the club should invite him to play for the Second XI after which he was awarded a one year contract- so it has all happened very quickly for the youngster

In December 2023 he was picked to tour India following just six first-class appearances and 10 wickets, but the potential has been obvious to see since then.

Two five-wicket hauls in three matches, allied to his ability and temperament, saw him installed as England’s No.1 spinner throughout the summer of 2024 and the selection paid off handsomely at Trent Bridge against the Windies when he spun his team to victory with figures of 5 for 41, which at the age of 20 made him the youngest England Test cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul at home, beating Anderson’s record.

“Two years ago, I didn’t have a county,” Bashir said. “It’s been really special. With a lot of hard work, I’m thankful to be playing for my country. Long may it continue.

“It was very special, first time I’d played at Trent Bridge. For me to take that last wicket and seal the deal to make it 2-0 in the series, it was one of the highlights of my season.”

In his absence Shoaib’s award was collected by former Somerset favourite Vic Marks, who is President of the CWC.

Last year the award was won by another young Somerset player, James Rew, and, given his impressive start, you can't help but think that Archie Vaughan could well be in the reckoning before too long.