Worcestershire sign teenage star (From Worcester News)

Worcestershire sign teenage star

7:50am Thursday 9th October 2008 in WCCC By Michael Reeves, twitter.com/michaelreevesWN

FIFTEEN-year-old Aneesh Kapil has been likened to Worcestershire skipper Vikram Solanki by academy director Damian D’Oliveira.

The youngster has signed a scholarship contract with the New Road side and the academy chief was quick to heap praise on the Black Country-born lad.

“I don’t like to use comparisons like this willy-nilly, but he is a lot like Vik,” D’Oliveira said.

“He has a lot of shots in his locker.

“Aneesh is a very good talent and it is up to him to see how far he can take it in the game.”

Kapil, who also opens the batting for Wolverhampton in the Birmingham League Premier Division, just missed out on selection for the England Under 16s, while D’Oliviera is pleased with the talent coming through at New Road.

“Jack Manuel, who signed a scholarship deal earlier in the year, has had a fabulous year and fellow batsman Dave Wheeldon, who was on the university scholarship last year, has signed his first professional contract with the County.

D’Oliveira said: “By putting players like Aneesh, Jack and Dave on scholarships, it stops other counties stealing our best youngsters.”

Another product of the academy at New Road, Mehraj Ahmed, has signed a one-year extension with Worcestershire. The young fast bowler had his first professional campaign disrupted by injury but has been given another season to prove himself.