TEEN batsman Sam Young, who also bowls off spin, has joined the Somerset Academy for 2016/17.

The 15-year-old cricketer has signed up after making good progress through the Emerging Player Programme.

The Radstock youngster has played through the Somerset age groups and this season has scored four centuries, including one for Millfield School in the Under 17’s final at Shrewbury.

“It’s a great privilege for me to be signing a contract to join the academy,” he said.

“It’s a massive achievement. I’ve put a lot of hard work into my cricket and this is the outcome that I was hoping for, so I am really pleased.

"Greg Kennis (Somerset Cricket Board Head Coach) helped me a lot on the EPP and it was a great experience for me as well and now I’m looking to develop on from that.

“Hopefully I will get the chance to play some Second XI games and then in the years to come I will get to play First Class cricket for Somerset.

"After that maybe some England Under 19′s but that’s into the future. Before that however there is a lot of hard work to be done and I’m looking forward to making a start shortly.”

Somerset Academy director, Steve Snell, said: “ Sam has played some outstanding innings across different age groups throughout the summer.  

"He was a stand out player at the Bunbury Festival which has earned him a place on a tour to Sri Lanka.  

"He is a positive player with an exciting range of shots, and also bowls more than useful off spin.

"Sam has a very relaxed character and I have been hugely impressed with what I have seen of him so far, both on and off the field.

"I’m looking forward to working with him this winter and I have no doubt that he will build on what has been an excellent 2016 season for him."