Luke Radford, who is a pupil at Bromsgrove School, has joined the Warwickshire Cricket Academy for the 2006 season.

Luke comes from a cricketing background as his father Neal played for Worcestershire and England during the 80s.

Academy director Richard Cox said: "We have been monitoring Luke for a year now in Warwickshire junior cricket - at his school (Bromsgrove) and club (Evesham) during which time he has shown good ability with bat and ball.

"He is a right arm seamer and right hand batter who strikes the ball cleanly and will win games for Warwickshire this season. He has overcome a back complaint over the winter and remodeled his action under the guidance of the Warwickshire medical staff and bowling coach Steve Perryman and we are delighted with his efforts.

"We are delighted to have captured him at a key point in his career and hope that he will progress to higher levels of cricket while he is with us."

Luke is excited about the opportunity and is keen to get started.

"I am delighted to have been asked to join the Warwickshire Academy," he said.

"All the lads who are involved in the set up have huge potential and I am delighted that people think highly of me as a cricketer. I know that the support I will be getting will be second to none and I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that come my way."