The 2025 County Championship is just a week away from starting. With that in mind, here are five young players to watch out for in the upcoming season.
Hamza Shaikh – Warwickshire
18-year-old batter Hamza Shaikh came through the Warwickshire pathways and was signed his first professional contract at 16. He made his debut for the senior side in the One-Day Cup in 2022 but waited for two years before making his first-class debut for the England Lions against the touring Sri Lanka side in August last year, making 91 in his first innings.
He played three red-ball games for Warwickshire towards the end of the season with a high score of 33*. With the departure of former Bears captain Will Rhodes ahead of this season, Shaikh could be in line for a long run in the team, potentially as high as No.3 with experience around him in the likes of Alex Davies, Rob Yates and Sam Hain.
Archie Vaughan – Somerset
While Archie Vaughan has only played four first-class matches so far in his career, his 11 wickets in Somerset's memorable win over Surrey last season turned heads on the county circuit. While his primary role as a top-order batter has yet to yield serious rewards, a batting average of 33 from his first eight innings brings plenty of potential to work with, especially operating mostly as an opener.
Vaughan’s potential as an all-rounder could lead to him being one of Somerset’s most impactful players for this season, especially with Taunton's potential for a turning surface later in the season.
James Minto – Durham
James Minto first came to attention last year as a 16-year-old when the left-arm pacer rushed Surrey captain Rory Burns with a sharp bouncer on his first-class debut for Durham in September.
The now 17-year-old seamer had a busy winter which included an England under-19s tour to South Africa where he picked up five wickets during their two weeks trip in January. Minto also had a successful pre-season trip to Zimbabwe earlier this month, collecting eight wickets in two matches against Zimbabwe A, including his maiden first-class five wicket haul. He opened the bowling in both games and shared the new ball with England international Matthew Potts. While his age and the rapidity of his rise should temper expectations, he could be another exciting new addition to the Riverside fast-bowling stable.
Farhan Ahmed – Nottinghamshire
Younger brother of England international Rehan, Farhan Ahmed is another player that made his first-class debut for the Lions against Sri Lanka last year. He picked up three wickets in his first match, including dismissing Angelo Mathews.
In his first outing in the County Championship, Farhan bowled 76.4 overs (50.4 in the first innings) on his way to collecting 10 wickets in a draw against Surrey at Trent Bridge. He dismissed all of Surrey’s top six across the match, including all-but Dom Sibley in the first innings where he finished with figures of 7-140.
Farhan Ahmed, the 16-year-old brother of England youngster Rehan Ahmed, has been given a County Championship debut for Nottinghamshire.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 29, 2024
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He will have to compete for the first choice spinner spot against Liam Patterson-White at the beginning of the season but like last year, he will be a key figure for his side towards the back end of the season when teams opt for two frontline spinners as pitches tire.
James Wharton – Yorkshire
James Wharton had the perfect end to last season, scoring 285 in the final game at Headingley against Northamptonshire. Building up to that double-century – the fifth-highest individual first-class scored ever at Headingley – he was only dismissed for less than 40 twice in his previous four matches.
A tall right-hander, he contributed over 800 runs in a successful division two campaign, and is set to test that form in division one this year. However, he may have to wait until Harry Brook and Joe Root return to England duty to find a place in the XI.
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