Gloucestershire all-rounder Will Naish has been selected to represent the South and West at the prestigious ESCA (English Schools Cricket Association) Under-15s Bunbury Cricket Festival.

The Wycliffe College pupil – who has only just turned 14 – has been chosen for the regional squad despite being a year younger than the majority of his team mates.

Gloucestershire head of talent pathway Tim Hancock said: “Will fully deserves his selection and it is a great effort for someone so young to have broken into a representative squad like that.

“The chance to play at the Bunbury Festival is hugely coveted and it is a credit to his dedication and love of the game that he has been selected.”

The festival will be held at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire from July 17th to 21st.

It will feature matches against the three other regions – the Midlands, London and East and the North.

By taking part Will – who is a right-arm seamer and hard-hitting batsman – will follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in English cricket.

Over the last 30 years more than 700 players who have taken part in the Bunbury Festival have gone on to play first class cricket, including 79 who have played for England.

These include current England Test captain Joe Root, and vice-captain Ben Stokes and record England Test runscorer Alastair Cook.

Will has already enjoyed an impressive 2017 season that has seen him play for Gloucestershire’s Academy and for the under-17s – including their recent ECB Cup semi-final against Middlesex.

The Frocester player has already represented his club’s first team and made a hundred for the 2nd XI in the West of England Premier League’s Gloucestershire Division while aged just 13. He is thought to be the youngest player ever to achieve this feat.

Hancock said: “Will has been challenged a lot by playing in higher age groups and in senior cricket but he is never overawed.

“He doesn’t hide behind his age which some young lads might do and has put in performances against older players, including men.

“As well as being physically strong for his age he has a strong character and it augurs well for the future.

“Frocester also deserve a lot of credit by giving him challenges at a young age and supporting his development.”

Will is the only Gloucestershire player in this year’s squad. He follows Matt Brewer (Bristol) and Joe Dryell (Downend) who represented the South and West in 2016.