CRICKET: TALENTED Solihull cricketer Henry Brookes has put pen to paper to sign his first ever professional contract with local team Warwickshire.
The Warwickshire CCC Academy and England Under 19s fast bowler has committed to the Edgbaston club until the end of the 2019 season.
Aged just 17, Brookes joined the club at Under 10s age group and has come through the Development of Excellence programme.
He was selected for the club academy at the end of 2015 and won a place in England’s Under 19s’ squad for the tour of India earlier this year, where he was the leading wicket taker.
The former Tudor Grange Academy pupil is in the process of completing a BTEC Level 3 at Aston University Engineering Academy and will join the Bears’ squad full time in July.
Ashley Giles, Sport Director of Warwickshire CCC, said: “It’s always pleasing to see homegrown players win their first contracts and we congratulate Henry on joining the club’s professional ranks.
“He has been playing second team cricket for the last two years and we’ve been very impressed with him in the time spent around the senior squad, in training and on our pre-season tour of the United Arab Emirates.
“Henry is acutely aware that the real challenge begins now as a professional cricketer.
“He has great people around him and if he keeps working hard he has the ability to go a long way in the game.”
Brookes started his cricketing career with Olton and West Warwickshire CC before moving to Knowle and Dorridge in 2016 to play in the Birmingham Premier League.
Brookes said: “I’ve always been incredibly proud to represent my home county in age group matches and I’m thrilled to now take this next step as a professional by joining Warwickshire’s senior squad.
“There’s going to be some very exciting challenges ahead and I would like to thank everyone for supporting me on the way to this first contract.
“Particularly my family and the coaching teams with Olton & West Warwickshire CC, Knowle & Dorridge CC and here at Warwickshire CCC.”
