Kent batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond has been named the winner of the inaugural England Development Programme Cricketer of the Year award.

Bell-Drummond picked up the award at a special dinner held in the Long Room at Lord’s this evening which was hosted by ECB and Brit Insurance, the sponsor of all England cricket teams.

Fellow England Under 19 players, Adam Ball (Kent), Ben Foakes (Essex) and Sam Wood (Nottinghamshire) were also nominated for the award.

Bell-Drummond’s award capped a superb year for the Kent batsman who first played for England Under 19s as a 16-year-old and is now England’s all-time highest run-scorer in One-Day Internationals at Under 19 level.

Commenting on the award, Kent coach Jimmy Adams told KSN how he felt it was richly deserved by the opener:

“It’s credit to him and credit to the club. He has been with the club since he was about nine years old, he’s come through the ranks.”

“Hopefully his career will continue on an upward curve and at eighteen years old he has talent.”

“There’s a gap that will need crossing to become a successful first class batsman, but he certainly seems to have the tools. both physically and mentally to do that.”

Daniel Bell-Drummond commented on the award; “I’m delighted to have been named England Development Programme Cricketer of the Year, it’s a real honour to have been given this award and hopefully it is the beginning of things to come for me.”

Picture supplied by Sarah Ansell. To see more of Sarah’s pictures, visit www.sarahcanterbury.com