5 members of the NCCC Academy have been selected for the Midlands as part of this year's ECB U17  Super-4 Competition taking place at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough this week.

Made up of four regional teams, players have been selected by ECB scouts at training camps and based on  performances for their host counties.

Northamptonshire have three players in the Midlands squad of 14 – Ben Claydon, Connor Haddow and Adam King, with Andrew Bramley and Harry Gouldstone selected as non-travelling reserves.

“We are delighted to get 5 lads involved and 3 in the full squad is something we haven't achieved for a while. The Super 4's is the shop window for selection onto the  England U19s programme so it's a great opportunity for the lads. Perhaps more importantly though they get to play with and against the very best U17 cricketers in the country - they will learn quite a bit about where their own game is at and about themselves as individuals in this environment. Their selection reflects well on how hard they've worked over the last few years and is obviously pleasing for the county", said Academy Director Phil Rowe. 

The Super-4s week has a different structure this year. The teams will again play each other in 50-over matches over the first three days of competition, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. But instead of a Finals Day on the Saturday, the champions will be determined by the final placings in the league table – leaving Saturday clear for a separate T20 competition.

Meanwhile the Northamptonshire U17's, lead by Academy member Ben Claydon, have progressed through to the ECB U17 County Competitions National Final for the first time in 20 years after beating Yorkshire in the semi-finals at Weetwood last week.

The youngsters convincingly beat Yorkshire, gaining a first innings win. Batting first Yorkshire were dismissed for 280 with Academy member Connor Haddow taking of 4-90.  In reply Northants posted an impressive 480 to win by 200. Fellow Academy members Andrew Bramley batted beautifully to record a run-a-ball 175 and Ewan Cox,  made 88. 

The lads now play Sussex in the National Finals over 3 days at the lovely Arundel Castle ground starting on Tuesday 29th August.