FOUR Worcestershire youngsters are to reap the benefits of financial support from the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.

Academy trio Josh Dell, Zen Malik and Dillon Pennington and second XI wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Milton, a student at Cardiff MCCU, will each receive £500 scholarships.

Ollie Westbury, Ryan Wheldon and Emily Arlott received the same backing from the trust 12 month ago.

The scholarship will aid the quartet with travelling costs for coaching sessions and matches at New Road and Malvern College.

Late cricket broadcaster Johnston's family, along with many members of the sport and media, set up a trust fund as a memorial to further causes close to his heart.

It provides scholarships to young male and females at county academy and university level who are in financial need.

County academy coach Elliot Wilson said: “The applications we put in for some financial support for four of our players have been accepted by the trust and again the support is much appreciated and invaluable.

“The trust has been set up with two real aims — the development of young spinners and a scholarship scheme to aid players who are in situations where just a bit of extra support financially would make a huge difference to their development.

“They especially try to target guys from underprivileged backgrounds, women’s and girls programmes, ethnic minorities and those sort of areas.

“But also they are happy to support players like some of ours who are in a bit of a transition from the academy onto the professional programme and in a difficult spot financially. Everything helps.

“We know a fair bit about Josh and Zen via their involvement with England under 19s.

“Alex left the academy two or three years ago and went to Cardiff University but is one of our registered players and the scholarship helps him to do a bit more travelling to keep connected with the programme here from Cardiff.

“Dillon is based in Telford and goes to Wrekin College. Again the scholarship helps him to get up and down the motorway a few more times and be with us as much as possible.”