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Smith delight at Rawlins’ England call-up

Big accomplishment: Rawlins will play at some of the same grounds that witnessed that just-completed Test series between England and India

Delray Rawlins has been selected in the England Under-19 squad for the tour to India early next year.

The 19-year-old, who has been in impressive form for the England Young Lions in Dubai, is one of ten uncapped players who have been called up.

Rawlins, who is on the books of Sussex, was part of the under-19 team that completed an emphatic ten-wicket victory against a UAE XI in a three-day game at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Clay Smith, the Bermuda coach, described Rawlins’s call-up as an “amazing accomplishment”. Smith said: “I’m extremely proud of him, as his talent, passion and love of the game has helped him progress quickly.

“I think the opportunity at Bedes School paved the way for him to be recognised as he performed admirably, thus getting the attention of first Sussex and now England.

“Who knows what the future will hold for him. As an England fan myself I would love to see him go all the way and play alongside Joe Root and crew. Nothing is impossible and he just has to believe and keep working hard.”

Lloyd Fray, the Bermuda Cricket Board president, said that he was also thrilled about Rawlins’ latest accomplishment.

“I’m very pleased to see that Delray continues to show that he is a genuine international-class all-rounder at under-19 level,” Fray said.

“His performances with bat and ball in Dubai are testament to his continuing development at the highest levels and we look forward to his further progress.

“I take this opportunity to thank all the coaches, support staff and his family who have supported him chasing his cricketing ambitions since the age of eight years old.”

David Graveney, the England chairman of selectors, said touring India at any level was challenging, as the senior team would surely testify having lost their recent series 4-0.

“We expect the India team to be very strong, as they showed in the ICC Under-19 World Cup this year and again in the Asia Cup, under the supervision of Rahul Dravid,” he said. “So this is a huge opportunity for the 15 players who have been selected, especially with a return series against India at home next summer.

“The Young Lions camp provided the majority of the squad with excellent preparation for the trip, with a number of ECB elite coaches supplementing the coaching staff who have been working with them throughout the winter.

“Paul Collingwood and Neil Killeen will now return to Durham, with England batting coach Mark Ramprakash and Jon Lewis from Sussex joining ECB lead spin-bowling coach Peter Such in Andy Hurry’s coaching team in India.”

Rawlins has turned down the opportunity to represent the Americas team in the West Indies next month to commit to training with the Young Lions. He was named along with Bermuda team-mate Kamau Leverock in the Americas squad for the regional.

Rawlins, who has represented St George’s in Cup Match, has qualified through residency to play for England, although he did represent Bermuda at the World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Los Angeles in October.