Promising youth cricketer Stefan Kelly is clearly bowling over his coaches at Oakham school in England.

The 15-year-old has received a ?surprise? call-up to the prestigious institution?s First XI for pre-season training and the Bermudian intends to grab the opportunity with both hands.

?I was really surprised. I didn?t believe I was going to get into the team this year. I thought it would have been next year,? said Kelly who returns to England tomorrow after spending the Easter holidays at home.

?I wasn?t at the standard everyone else is at. I didn?t think I was up to that standard in bowling.?

The former Warwick Academy student concluded that his attitude and ambitious nature worked in his favour.

?Even when I came off injuries I was trying to get right back into training and progress to keep up with everyone else.?

Having been given this unexpected fillip he is eager to justify the coaches? faith in him.

?I want to bowl well this year because last year I didn?t bowl as well as I could have,? he said.

Kelly, who has been on a full scholarship at Oakham in Rutland since last April, told ?things are going pretty good? and he is enjoying the atmosphere in which he is studying and training a lot.

?It?s a great experience. You get to meet ex-Test and ex-County players and get coached by County players on a regular basis,? noted the St. David?s cricketer.

?My bowling has improved a lot. I got my run-up fixed because I used to bowl a lot of no-balls and that was a problem. So my coach devoted an hour to me between training sessions to get it fixed. Now it?s perfect and I can bowl as good as I want and as fast as I want without worrying about stepping over the line.?

He has also worked out problems with his back which were affecting his performance.

?I used to lean backwards instead of standing up straight when I bowled and towards the end of the season it started to bother me to the point where I had to sit out and couldn?t bowl for a few games,? he added.

The Foundation?s Director David Lang said they were very pleased with Kelly?s advancement at Oakham and announced they are looking forward to a continued relationship with the BCB in opening up opportunities for young cricketers.

Rochelle Kelly also expressed satisfaction with her son?s progress and the facilities at his school.

?It?s a wonderful experience for him. He is obviously getting a very good education which was what I was most concerned about. He has matured a lot already,? said Mrs Kelly who has visited the top cricketing school.

Sporting talent clearly runs in the family as Kelly?s first cousin Taijaun Talbot won the Under-17 Boys 1500 metres on the opening night of the Carifta Games with his cricketing kin watching.