James Burke, 17, has been selected to play for the England U19 cricket team. An upper sixth pupil and member of the Plymouth College 1st X1 since Year 10, James will join the team on tour in South Africa in January. Last season he represented England at U17 level when the team played New Zealand.
James has been a leading player since his early years at the school. In 2003 it was reported that he was the first pupil in more than 20 years to score two centuries in one season at U12 level. At age 14 he won Cricketer of the Year at the Devon Cricket Board Youth Awards and as well as England representation, he has also played for West of England and Devon teams. He currently plays for Exmouth.
Also a member of the prestigious Somerset Cricket Academy, James has already been awarded a professional contract with Somerset, which will come into full effect when he leaves school in June.
Teacher in charge of cricket, Russell Chapman, said: “From his first years at Plymouth College James has shown great talent on the cricket pitch. It has been very rewarding to watch his many successes and progress to the very top of the game.”
