Hampshire have announced a 12-strong squad of promising youngsters from whom they will choose their Academy team to play in the Southern Electric Premier Cricket League this summer.

County Second XI coach Tony Middleton plans to field three or four young professionals alongside the fledgling youngsters in the 50-over Premier Division 2 matches, which begin on May 4.

Middleton, who scored over 5,000 First Class runs for Hampshire prior to his retirement in 1995, will initially lead a raw, but talented Hawks team. It will include the five Academy students Tom Burrows, Martin Bushell, Luke Merry, Mark Mitchell and highly rated New Milton all-rounder David Wheeler.

Also selected are King Edward VI all-rounder Alex Richardson and Sarisbury Athletic's Peter Hammond, who became the youngest-ever player to hit a Hampshire League century last summer.

"Some of the youngsters are very inexperienced, but the Premier League promises to be a vital breeding ground for them; an arena in which they can develop their skills," said Middleton.

The Young Hawks, whose home matches will be played on the Rose Bowl Nursery ground, are likely to include several youngsters who helped the West win last year's ESCA Bunbury Under-15 Festival.

Hampshire have made contingency plans for any of the youngsters not selected for the Academy team. "We have an agreement with the Southern Premier and Hampshire Leagues, the lads not selected on a particular Saturday will be able to turn out for their clubs in the normal way, so they won't miss any cricket."

The Hampshire CCC Academy squad is : Tom Burrows, Martin Bushell (Finchampstead), David Griffiths (Sandown), Peter Hammond (Sarisbury Athletic), Ian Hilsum (Ventnor), Kevin Latouf (Millfield), James Manning (Andover), Luke Merry (Thame), Mark Mitchell (Ventnor), Alex Richardson (Locks Heath), Mitchell Stokes (Basingstoke & North Hants), David Wheeler (New Milton).

© Hants CCC