England U19s

[Statto]

The squad
Moeen Ali (Warks)
Steven Davies (Worcs) cap wk
Joseph Denly (Kent)
Mark Footitt (Notts)
Will Gifford (Worcs)
David Griffiths (Hampshire)
Ben Harmison (Durham)
Adam Harrison (Glam)
Mark Lawson (Yorks)
Steven Mullaney (Lancs)
Michael O'Shea (Glam)
John Simpson (Lancs) wk
Tom Smith (Lancs)
Mitchell Stokes (Hampshire)

The Reserves
Varun Chopra (Essex)
Andrew Miller (Lancs)
Mark Nelson (Northants)
Graeme White (Northants)

Does anyone know who the major prospects are in this squad?
I know Lawson is a leg spinner of some promise but other than that I'm not 100% sure of the quality of all the other players. I have heard that Simpson is thought of as a potential test player but as far as I know he hasnt made his FC debut yet so that may be premature, especially as he is clearly 2nd choice as the other keeper is also the skipper.
Anyone else agree tat its a surprise that there are no Derbyshire players in the side, no room at derby for English players.
The contributions:
Lancs 3 + 1 sub
Worcs 2
Hampshire 2
Glam 2
Durham 1
Warks 1
Kent 1
Yorks 1
Notts 1
Northants 2 subs
Essex 1 sub

None
Derbys
Surrey
Sussex
Middx
Somerset
Gloucs
Leics

Does this breakdown surprise anyone?
Leics and Derbys not having any doesnt surprise me and neither does Gloucs really. I would have expected the other 4 to have produced some players but looking back none of them are renowned for bringing up quality English Juniors. Lancs on top of the list doesnt surprise me, they seem to be far and away the best producers of young talent in the country and this list backs that up. It does seem to show a trend that the counties using more overseas players/Koplak players dont seem to have the juniors coming through, which will leave them having to sign more koplak players to replace the ones they have and never getting round to producing juniors.

[Notts Exile]

The worrying thing is that I used to play cricket with Mark Footit's Dad !!! Mark is rated quite highly at Notts, put in some good performances for the Seconds last season.

[Zainub]

Have heard a bit about Ben Harmison, Steve Harmison's brother, right? If anyone of England under 19 games are televised, I'd like to have a look at him...does any one know who England under 19 play, and when, not to mention where?

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

I must admit that I have never heard of Michael O'Shea, but Adam Harrison (younger brother of David) is rated as a prospect at Glamorgan (indeed the general consensus is that he is better than his brother).

As regards the development of young players as against using cheap Kolpak/EU imports I think Glamorgan has a decent record (particularly considering we are one of the poorer counties who might be expected to take advantage of such players). I suppose we do have a decent local league structure from which to recruit young players though.