A WEST Mersea teenage cricketer enjoyed a dream first-team debut after finishing with sensational figures of 9-2 off just six overs.

Daniel Gladwell, 14, produced an outstanding display in his six-over spell to help West Mersea’s first team claim a seven-wicket opening-day triumph against Copdock and Old Ipswichian threes, in Two Counties Championship division seven.

Daniel, a member of PiriPiri Cricket who bowls left-arm swing, did not take a wicket in his first two overs, conceding just one run.

But the Gosfield School Year Nine pupil then remarkably claimed nine wickets for just one further run, from his final four overs.

Daniel was then going for a tenth Copdock wicket but had to come off, as he is only able to bowl his maximum quota six overs due to his young age.

 

He said: “It just started swinging and I just got on a roll really - eight bowled and one lbw!”

Copdock were bowled out for 64 in 14.1 overs and West Mersea reached their target for the loss of three wickets, in 11.1 overs.

Daniel, who lives on Mersea Island, is a junior cricketer at Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club.

He plays all of the club’s junior cricket and is about to go into the men’s set-up.

Daniel, who is part of Essex CCC's junior set-up, has been benefiting from PiriPiri Cricket Coaching sessions for several years, attending every camp there since he was around seven years old.

Piri Piri Cricket coach Ben Stephens said: “Daniel is an absolute joy to coach.

“I was only saying to him a month ago that this is his best-ever winter in preparation for a season and then he does that in his first game!”

PiriPiri Coaching have announced their May half-term dates.

The sessions takes place on May 31 and June 1 and 2, at Lower Castle Park between 9am-1pm.

Cost is £40 per day and all abilities are welcome.

There will be nets, drills, skills, games and competitions throughout each day. 

For more information, click here