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Thomas Philip Alsop- Cricketer

Early life

''Thomas Alsop was born in High Wycombe on November 27th, and is a promising English cricketer. Thomas Alsop attended the Lavington school for his secondary education. Having attended Rowde CofE primary school before.

'' Cricketing career; '' Thomas Philip Alsop started his cricketing career at the age of seven, where he attended regular club training at Bishops Cannings CC. He joined because of his father Philip Alsop and brother Owen Alsop. His father being one of the coaches at the club. His cricketing talent grew with the help of his father and Ed Davies another BCCC coach. Thomas started playing district cricket for Kennet and attended the district festival which was held at Dauntsey school that year. Having performed in this festival Thomas was selected for Wiltshire U11's team. He carried on through the Wiltshire age groups performing well with the bat. When Thomas entered his U13's year he was invited on to Wiltshire's EPP (Emerging Players Program) program where he was coached by Alan Crouch. With Thomas still performing well putting good performances with the bat for his own age group as well as the year above other counties became interested in the cricketer. Alsop carried on through to the U15's age group which would be his last with the county after the year he had with the bat. Putting in big performances for the U15's and 17's (having scored 95, 125 and 235 for the 17's). Alsop was put into the West squad for the prestigious Bunbury festival having impressed in the trials scoring 67no Vs Somerset academy. Thomas Alsop went to the Bunbury festival which was held in Monmouth. Alsop didn't have the best of festivals but was selected for the EDP (England development program) trial held in Loughborough that year. Unfortunately the young cricketer wasn't to proceed any more that year with England cricket, but was offered a three year academy place at Hampshire CCC.

Alsop joined the academy in 2011 run by Tony Middleton. Middleton then took a new post within the club, which made Bob Parks the academy director. Alsop's season was average that year, having not played for the academy in the Southern Electric league. He played for Andover CC in the silver league. However his year finished on a high by playing at Lords in the ESCA Vs MCC's annual game. Batting at six it was unlikely that Alsop would bat but did and scored a breathe taking 44 off 24 balls. He was also invited onto the EDP program and joined the U17's age group.

The next year Alsop was invited up to an England U19's training camp where he impressed coaches. He wasn't selected for the 2013 South Africa tour but was later called up into the squad after the unfortunate injury of captain Shiv Thakor. Alsop ended up playing four of the five ODI's Vs South Africa, but unfortunately didn't perform that well. His top score just being over 20. However having come back from tour his season with Hampshire's academy flourished recording his best season to date in the Southern Electric league scoring his maiden 100 vs Totton & Eiling and finishing the season with an average of 61.25 http://www.southernpremierleague.com/2013-statistics/2976-ecb-premier-division-batting-2013.html

His 2013 season highlight was keeping for Hampshire's 1st XI subbing for the injured Wheater at the time. He kept for 15 overs at Hampshire's home ground the Ageas Bowl and caught Steven Croft out off the bowling of Dimitri Mascarenhas. The youngsters 15 over spell was captured on Sky Sports as well.

Thomas Philip Alsop is a bright prospect in the game of cricket and is certainly one to keep track of.''