Young batsman Steven Leach making big waves

Young Shropshire batsman Steven Leach has been making waves on the national stage – captaining an England under-17s Invitation XI to successive victories against an England Development XI.

The Shrewsbury ace, who is also captain of the county under-17s, impressed England National Performance Manager David Graveney with his displays at Loughborough's National Performance Centre in the last two days.

On Sunday he scored a brilliant 127 out of his team's total of 298-6 to win the 50 overs contest by 65 runs.

And yesterday he skippered another winning effort as the Development XI were bowled out for 218.

Leach's Invitation XI scored 189-5 to win the rain-affected clash under the Duckworth-Lewis system, with the Shropshire star – batting at No 5 – scoring an unbeaten 45.

His feats come just days after he scored a century for Shropshire under 17s in their clash with Nottinghamshire at Shifnal.