NEW Zealand T20 international Adi Ashok enthralled a young audience at Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club, writes PHIL WOLSKI.

The 21-year-old is surely only at the beginning of his international cricketing journey, albeit currently injured and hence missed out on the recent T20 World Cup.

Ashok offered inspirational advice, with questions led by young Colchester cricketers Amelia Shean and Charlie Lynch.

In addition to having taken an impressive 14 T20 wickets for New Zealand in ten games, he is a remarkably fluent and influential speaker for such a young man, matched by the wit and expertise of his two young local interrogators.

Ashok answered seriously challenging questions about his career, what inspires him, about training and preparation, skills and techniques, game strategy, personal insights and general advice for young cricketers.

About half of the full house audience was aged under 15 and the youngsters were held spellbound for around two hours and all left inspired.

Adi evidently loves Colchester and East Essex CC and gave it a massive thumbs up as ‘the place to be’.

Most of the youngsters, having just concluded an under-14 match against Coggeshall Town, were still wearing their brand new Howden Insurance, Ellisons and Rob George Foundation-sponsored shirts, and many invited Adi to sign them.