Emerging Players to Watch Under 21: Men Part 1

Aarush Bhagwat
Hong Kong
Wicketkeeper
16

Bhagwat first created news in 2018 Hong Kong Blitz at 14, coming on as a sub fielder for the injured Roelof van der Merwe for the Hong Hom Jaguars. Two years later at 16 years and 23 days, he became the second-youngest Hong Kong player in a T20 international. To make it more remarkable, Bhagwat was picked as a batsman, with Scott McKechnie keeping the gloves.

With McKechnie since retiring from Hong Kong duty, Bhagwat is sure to feature more for his country, irrespective of the availability of fellow ‘keeper, Jamie Atkinson.

Philippe Boissevain
The Netherlands
Leg-spinner
19

You know a player is highly touted when they make a ‘long-awaited’ debut in their teens. Good leg-spinners are rare in international cricket, and Ryan Campbell along with his Dutch coaching staff know they have a gem in their possession.

Boissevain was included in his first national team camp back in January 2018, eventually slotting into the playing XI in August last year against UAE in a home series. Of his four T20I appearances, Boissevain has taken wickets in three of them, at an economy of just over seven.

Jogging in off eight steps, Boissevain’s action is more round-arm than other leg-spinners’, encouraging the ball to loop before pitching. It’s easy to see how he claims his scalps in the Topklasse, though it will be the continued exposure at the international level that will cut the teeth of one the Netherlands’ future stars.

Harrison Carlyon
Jersey
Right-hand batsman
Off-spin
19

Making his international debut at 15 in Los Angeles during World Cricket League Division 4 back in December 2016, Carlyon is one of the most experienced players in this age group. Entrusted to open the batting in both 50-over and T20 formats, Carlyon has shown both patience and aggression when called upon.

Carlyon can also boast a few high-profile scalps with his part-time off-spin, turning a game against UAE on its head at the T20 World Cup Qualifier last year. Cruising at 60-0 off eight overs, UAE were stunned by Carlyon who took the first three wickets, as they eventually crumbled to fall 36 runs short of a target of 148.

Carlyon comes from a line of international cricketers, with both his father Tony and uncle Steve also playing for Jersey. Harrison and Tony even played a match together at WCL4, after a number of injuries forced Tony, team manager at the time, to come out of retirement at 46.