THREE young Somerset cricketers, James Rew, George Thomas, and Charlie Sharland, have been selected to represent the South and West in the English Schools Cricket Association Under 15 'Bunbury' Festival this year.

They will play the Midlands, the North and the South East in the Festival in a series of 50-over and T20 matches taking place at Felsted School, in Essex, from August 4-9.

All three boys, who are pupils at King's College, attended King's Hall School and were members of the team that won the ESCA Under-13 National Schools Championship in 2017.

They all play county cricket for Somerset Under-15s and, recently, Charlie made his debut for Somerset Second XI against Kent.

James Rew, a wicketkeeper/batsman, and George Thomas, an all-rounder, both play for Taunton St Andrew's in Premier One of the West of England Premier League, while Charlie Sharland, also an all-rounder, plays his club cricket for Taunton Deane who are in WEPL Premier Two (Bristol and Somerset).

Rob Woodman, head of cricket at King’s, said: “This is the first time we have had three players selected and King’s is extremely proud of them.

“All three this year have improved and developed their game hugely and it has come as no surprise they have received the exposure they have worked hard for.”

The Bunbury Festival is now part of the ECB Player Pathway. Andrew Flintoff, Michael Vaughan, Joe Root and Ben Stokes are among those to have previously played at the festival, along with Somerset and England's Jack Leach.