Last week I stressed the importance of our senior players in Gloucestershire's success, but if we are to prosper as a top team in the future, we must encourage and develop our youth.

I am equally excited about some of our young prospects. The talent is there but it is up to us to hone it so that these players can compliment and eventually replace us older `fellas'. Four of these cricketers are currently involved in cricket overseas, and the extra experience gained over the last four months could be enough to see them pushing for a regular first team place.

Mark Hardinges and Roger Sillence are still in Perth under the auspices of Neil Holder and Matt Nicholson, both of whom work very closely with the Western Australia team, for whom Nicholson still plays. The coaches there are very impressed with Mark and Roger, and it was no surprise that Mark recently bagged a seven-wicket haul and Roger scored 150. They have worked extremely hard on their fitness, so when they join us in South Africa on our pre-season tour, I hope to come across two guys fizzing to be part of the first team.

Just over the way in New Zealand is Alex Gidman. This young man could be the surprise package of 2002. Like Mark and Roger Alex bats and bowls, but according to the coach in New Zealand "he is the best pommie fielder I have seen for a very long time". Alex has also impressed with the bat, and with reports like that we are hoping he will develop into the genuine article. To date he has played in one National League game, and I was at the crease when he came in. Although we were really up against it at the time, Alex had a certain presence at the wicket even though his stay was quite brief.

Another young tourist in New Zealand is Stephen Pope, representing England in the Youth World Cup. We continue to unearth real talent behind the stumps and Stephen is no exception. Now is a good time for Jack Russell's understudy to pile on the pressure for a slot in our first eleven. Although Jack's skills are as sharp as ever, I get the feeling he is going to enjoy taking young Pope under his wing.

It is a brief introduction to some of our younger players, but I believe these guys are going to stand up and do the talking themselves. They have to, because not far behind them are prospects like James Pearson and Nathan Bressington - not to be confused with Alastair Bressington, who has already made an impressive start to his first class career.

You are probably picking up the vibes that I am really quite excited about our future. I hope you can join us as we watch it all unfold.

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