Gloucestershire Under 15 players Charlie Brennan, Will Gilderson and Ryan Kilmister have been selected in the South West squad for the prestigious Bunbury Cricket Festival.

A fourth Gloucestershire player, Stan Brown, is on the reserve list for the ESCA (English Schools Cricket Association) tournament which will be held at Felsted School in Essex.

Although Gloucestershire has been represented for the last few seasons, it is the first time that three players from the county have made the final squad.

Head of Talent Pathway Tim Hancock said: “It is fantastic for the boys and it is great for Gloucestershire to keep having our young players recognized.

“Will Naish and Hamdi Saleem acquitted themselves really well last year and I am sure Charlie, Will and Ryan will take the opportunity to show what they are capable of this year. Stan is a bit unlucky.

“He is also a very good cricketer and has probably only missed out because the pitches at Felsted tend to spin so they have gone with an extra spinner.”

All four players were part of the Gloucestershire Under 14 team that won their ECB group and Taunton Festival last year and have made an unbeaten start to their league campaign in 2019.

Brennan and Gilderson have formed one of the most feared opening bowling partnerships in the country for their age group. Gilderson, who plays for Dumbleton and goes to Cheltenham College, was the highest wicket-taker in the country last season with 19 wickets in the Royal London Cup at an average of 10.95.

His best figures came against Hampshire where he took 7-44 in a devastating spell of aggressive fast bowling.

Brennan, who plays for Bristol and goes to Bristol Grammar School, took valuable wickets last year and was also Gloucestershire U14s the top runscorer. He made a hundred against Wiltshire and made 93 against Somerset to take his side to victory from the jaws of defeat.

Left-arm spinner Kilmister plays for Dumbleton and attends Clifton College. He has been a hugely consistent performer for a number of seasons and is currently the leading wicket taker across all Gloucestershire boys teams this summer.

All-rounder Stan Brown (Cheltenham and St Edward’s, Oxford) is on the reserve list after cementing his place as a front line bowler and top order batter over the last 12 months.

Hancock said: “They are part of a very strong age group that has been dominant for a number of seasons. The two fast bowlers are both, strong, aggressive bowlers with a hunger to bowl quick and have probably been the standout two in the age group for a while.

“Ryan is a hard-working competitive cricketer who has been very consistent for county, school and club. Hopefully it will be a really positive experience for them.”