A prospect around Sheffield and South Yorkshire, had to be pretty special to dislodge some bright young thing from, say, Leeds, Bradford or the cricketing hotbed of what's called the Central Yorkshire area.

Of course, we have had our share of real good 'uns from this region in recent times, not least the current England captain.

Then there's Barnsley's finest, Darren Gough along with Martyn Moxon; further back, Freddie Trueman and John Hampshire both with Rotherham addresses.

Yes, a number have emerged on the Yorkshire scene but without quite their impact or any great permanence and Sheffield has always seemed on the short side.

In fact, Derbyshire 'imported' one of this city's best products, Devon Malcolm. Another one, Steve Oldham, played for Yorkshire then Derbyshire whilst Richard Kettleborough, now a first class umpire, did push through wearing the white Rose before moving on to Middlesex. Rotherham's Simon Guy is currently vying for the county's wicketkeeping spot.

So, the news this week of the latest Yorkshire debutant, Ben Sanderson, will cheer Sheffield cricket followers and particularly in that keen little cricketing enclave at Whitley Hall.

From High Green, like Oldham, Ben's emergence serves as an example to all young cricketers currently playing for their local club and getting good coaching.

Only 19, no one knows at this stage if he's going to be a good 'un or if he won't even make it, but however unassuming he may be, he serves as an inspiration to all cricketing youngsters in these parts.

They are rightly proud up at Whitley - the first ever Yorkshire player from this small but hard working club which had origins in the late 1800s. And it is satisfaction too for the Sheffield and District Cricket Coaching Schemes, watched over so diligently by cricketing sage
Jack Bethel, which Ben attended.

Ben, a first year junior professional at Headingley, knows this week is just a step on the first rung of a tall ladder and he admits to opening this season with the aim of cementing a regular 2nd XI place and doing well.

Now this -well done to him!

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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