Academy Member Looks Forward To Bangladesh Tour

Not many cricketers enjoy the same story as Shozair Ali, but the Bears Academy ace is relishing every minute of his career with a tour of Bangladesh with the England under 19s squad just around the corner.

Nineteen-year-old fast bowler Shozair didn't pick up a cricket bat or ball until he was 14, but soon developed a taste for the game when he began playing regularly for his father's team in Calthorpe Park, just around the corner from Edgbaston.

After being promptly nominated for District and County trials by his PE teacher at Queensbridge School, Rob White, Shozair ended his second summer of cricket by bowling for England Under-15s at Lords.

"I used to watch a bit of cricket on TV, and loved watching Waqar Younis bowl," Shozair said. "But I was always more of a football fan until my Dad encouraged me to start playing in the Birmingham Parks League.

"It's been quite a journey during my short time playing the game, but I've had great people around me to help improve my game and keep my feet firmly on the ground. Rob White at school was a great early influence, but I learn more about my game in every day that I work with the Academy.

"We’ve got the England Under 19s World Cup coming up later this year and I hope to make a big impact. But long-term, I hope that I've got a big future with Warwickshire and will continue working hard to realise this."

Shozair has represented England at Under-15s and 18s age groups and has also played several games for the Warwickshire Second XI. He plays his club cricket in Division 1 of the Birmingham & District Premier League for Sutton Coldfield side Walmley.

Dougie Brown, Academy Director and Assistant Coach, said: "The fact that Shozair has been able to reach the standards that he has in such as short space of time is remarkable, if you consider that he had not even played County age group cricket four years ago.

"He can bowl good in and out swing, but we've worked at his game to add new deliveries to his armoury; we're already seeing a good Yorker. He's certainly very talented and it's now up to him to keep working hard and take his game to the next level."