By Charles Randall

14 December 2011

Adam Ball, Bexley CC, has signed a three-year contract for Kent at the age of 18 in a meteoric start to his career. Already captain of England Under-19, the left-arm seam all-rounder looks destined for the highest level if his county progress continues.

Ball scored his first century for Bexley in the Kent Premier League as a 15 year-old from Beths Grammar School and was drafted into the England Under-19 squad for the 2010 junior world cup in New Zealand as the youngest member. There he had to sit GCSE exams while forcing his way into the side at Christchurch before returning home to sign his first contract with Kent. At the end of the 2010 season he played for ESCA XI at Lord's against an MCC Schools XI captained by fellow Beths pupil Adam Riley.

Mentored at Bexley by the Club Cricket Conference coach Min Patel, Ball was given his Kent debut this summer and made nine first class appearances. He aims to continue his county career while studying at Kent University.