Wiltshire bowler Jon Lewis has risen from Wiltshire Youth to the full England squad. ALEX LAWLESS looks at how the county is trying to bring more players to national attention

THE verdict from the man at the top of Wiltshire's cricketing tree is Jon Lewis could be the first of many.

Brian White, manager of Wiltshire's senior side, believes the youngsters in the county are amongst the best in England shown by their promotion to the top youth league in the county.

White said there is a possibility of more youngsters coming through the youth structure.

Since the academy structure was developed in England three years ago Wiltshire has supplied many youngsters to first class counties.

Wiltshire changed its own development structure this year and now holds winter training sessions for the best 64 youngsters who are receiving some of the best teaching possible.

Wiltshire first team coach and youth development manager, Alan Crouch, explained Hampshire academy coaches Tony Middleton and Raj Maru and Bobby Parkes helping this county's youngsters.

Former international, Richard Illingworth, and England bowling coach and former assistant to Duncan Fletcher, Bob Cottam, completes a formidable line-up.

Crouch said: "We have made a concerted effort to give the best opportunity to our younger players by changing the youth development programme we have had in place since 1987.

"Last year we changed the system and now coach the young cricketers on a one to one basis weekly over January to Easter.

"Our own coaches are learning a lot from the guys we are bringing in as well which bodes well for Wiltshire cricket.

"It is imperative they learn as quickly as the cricketers. We have 180 coaches working around the county in various clubs and this can only improve our programme.

"I would say the programme in place in Wiltshire is the best programme of any minor county in the country.

"With Jon Lewis progressing to the England set-up he is a great role model and will give our youngsters something to aim for."

Almost a quarter of Hampshire's Academy is now made up of youngsters from Wiltshire with Gloucestershire signing up two Wiltshire players on summer contracts, to be balanced around their degrees.

One of which, Tom Stayt, from Bartletts, Great Cheverell, has already tasted international action with the full England side. The 19-year-old Bath and Gloucestershire player said: "I was 12th man and it all happened so quickly.

"We were playing a game and (Gloucestershire academy director) Stuart Barnes asked if a couple of us wanted to travel up to the West Indies test match at Old Trafford.

"Within a few hours I was on the pitch but not all the time. At one point I was stuck at short mid-wicket and I had Brian Lara at strike and 20,000 people around me.

"It was pretty amazing. There was a great atmosphere and it really makes you want to push on with cricket and get into the first team."

At Hampshire cousins Courtney Earl and Liam Dawson have caught the eye. Calne teenager Earl, 14, is aiming for selection to the West of England team, which will tour the West Indies next season, and Dawson, 15, is looking to break into England U15s.

Hampshire Academy Director, Middleton, is looking for both boys along with Chippenham youngster, James Vince, 14, to make a step up.

He said all credit for the Wiltshire programme should go to Crouch and his staff but added reaching a first class side's full academy did not guarantee cricketing riches.

"The academy structure is pretty new there are no figures to pick from but we would be very happy if around one, or perhaps two, were to progress to first class cricket.

"If we are getting one progressing to the first team every few years that makes a career out of it that's brilliant.

"There's a number who will play professionally but not many will play for 15 or 20 years."

Crouch added credit should also be given to Chippenham coaches Chris Sykes and Paul Rowson who set up the Wiltshire Youth League.

He said: "It is all good coaching the youngsters one on one but there's no point if there is not a weekly competitive league to put it all into practise.

"Full praise must go to Chris and Paul because their league has introduced the youth of the county to cricket where we are able to reap the rewards."