Barney Gibson is set to return to action for Pudsey Congs on Saturday just three days after becoming the youngest ever player in English first class cricket.
The 15-year-old wicketkeeper, fresh from his surprise Yorkshire debut against Durham University at The Riverside, will be behind the stumps for the champions in their JCT600 Bradford League Division One match at Gomersal.
He takes over the gloves from the unavailable Mark Gill. As a rule, Gibson is being picked for Congs’ second team when Gill can play so the youngster can work on his batting. But he is being rested on Sunday and will not feature in the seconds’ game at Spen Victoria.
It is all part of a careful programme agreed between Yorkshire and Pudsey Congs to ensure that he is able to develop his game without being placed under too much pressure.
Congs’ cricket chairman Ralph Middlebrook said: “We are proud of Barney as he is a popular lad who has come right through our system since he was ten. He has been helped by our coaches but he has put in a lot of hard work too.
“Ian Dews and John Blain at Yorkshire have given a lot of thought to how the player’s development is managed to meet our hopes as a club for Barney and Yorkshire’s ambitions. His school, Crawshaw, have also played a big part.”
He added: “It is a wonderful achievement to become the youngest player ever to play first class cricket but it has brought some unnecessary hype in some sections of the media and that could be unhelpful.”
Gibson made his debut for Congs in the first game of the 2010 season against Cleckheaton.
“He was only 14 but he didn’t look out of place,” said Middlebrook “You only had to watch him playing for Leeds Schools or Yorkshire Schools to see his ability.
“It is also nice that he is a lad who turned down the chance to play soccer for Leeds United’s junior sides to concentrate on his cricket.
“But we have to remember he is still only 15. He has taken a small step towards what we hope will be a successful professional career.”
Saturday's match will see Gibson in opposition to one of Division One’s other teenage keepers, Gomersal’s Jack Seddon.
The two early pacesetters, Farsley and Hanging Heaton, meet at Red Lane where Farsley’s Jamaican batsman Lorenzo Ingram will be chasing a third successive century. He has scored 278 runs this season without being out.
Third-placed Pudsey St Lawrence, will be striving for their third win at home to Baildon.
After losing their opening two games, Woodlands will be hoping to haul themselves off the bottom when they entertain East Bierley.
Cleckheaton, notoriously slow starters in recent seasons, have an awkward test as they go chasing a first victory when they visit Manningham Mills, who tied at Undercliffe last week.
Bradford & Bingley, boosted by their eight-wicket win over Pudsey Congs, tackle Undercliffe at Wagon Lane.
It’s a double weekend in Division Two and leaders Lightcliffe, the only team with maximum points, visit Yeadon on Saturday before playing hosts to Keighley on Sunday.
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