Studies come first for Miles (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Studies come first for Miles

9:59am Friday 18th May 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

CHIPPENHAM rising star Adam Miles was forced to turn down Gloucestershire to concentrate on his exams.

Miles, 17, from Reids Piece in Purton, was asked to be 12th man for the County Championship Division Two match against Glamorgan, which started on Tuesday.

However, his first A-Level exam is on Monday.

"I was so excited when I got the call," said Miles, who is taking Business, Biology and Sport at Filton College in Bristol. "But then, after talking to college and the club, I realised I couldn't do it.

"I have been working hard towards them all year and they give me something to fall back on. There will be other opportunities and my studies come first."

Chippenham CC established a link with Gloucestershire last year, allowing the best of their talent to train with the county.

The wicketkeeper and opening batsman admitted he would not have felt daunted going into a squad with stars like England and Swindon's Jon Lewis.

"It would have been great to see the pre match preparations, be part of the set up and get some insight into what I want to do," he said.

Wiltshire and former Chippenham teammate Liam Dawson is in his first year as a professional at Hampshire and Miles wants to repeat his success.

"Liam has set the bar for youngsters in Wiltshire and hopefully I can follow in his footsteps," said Miles, who made his Wiltshire debut against Cambridgeshire last week.

All is not lost for Miles as Gloucestershire Academy director Stuart Barnes confirmed he will be invited back.

He said: "We try and give youngsters the opportunity to experience what it is like at the top end of cricket. The door is never closed."