Young Yorkshire cricketer hits GCSEs for six

AN aspiring England cricketer has been bowled over by his GCSE exam results.

Hector Hamill, 16, from Roecliffe, achieved two grade 8s, five 7s, two 6s and a 5.

He said: “I am really pleased I managed to balance my cricket and studies and that all the hard work has paid off.”

Hector, who has been playing county cricket for Yorkshire since he was ten and is a member of Harrogate Cricket Club, dreams of becoming a professional and batting for England one day.

“As with many thousands of other young cricketers, my aim is to play for Yorkshire’s 1st XI and then England. Competition has been and will continue to be tough, but I have the determination to succeed. So, who knows.”

He has juggled his studies with the game: “Playing county cricket for Yorkshire means a lot of training, a minimum of four times a week, including 6am starts every Sunday, so getting a balance between studying and training has been key.

He was also selected to play with the elite Yorkshire Academy, made up of the county’s rising stars: “A week before my exams I played a two-day game for the Yorkshire Academy, which was a great opportunity for me. Club cricket started in April, so playing weekly in that was my down time.

Hector represented his county at U11 and U12 levels and captained the U13 side, but the highlight of his cricketing career was with Yorkshire’s U14 team when he played a key role in helping his team triumph in the Royal London national championships.

“With cricket, especially for a batsman, there are a lot of highs and lows, but so far the highlights have been definitely been beating Surrey in the Royal London cup final - helping Yorkshire win the cup for the first time - and playing for the Academy a few weeks ago.

He plans to take A-levels in PE, maths and chemistry and has ambitions to win a professional rookie contract with Yorkshire.

Otherwise, he hopes to study sport at Loughborough University and, through its association with MCC, play county cricket

He has been playing cricket since he was seven years old: “I began just playing in the garden with my dad and brother, then joined Bishop Monkton juniors when I was nine. I started off as a bowler, but I’m now a batsman who bowls a bit of spin.

Inspired by English cricketer Joe Root, he plays up to six matches a week, training between four and six times a week throughout winter, which leaves little time for his other passion, rugby: “I can only play for school as I don’t have enough spare time,” he says.