TALENTED Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club youngster Ben Allison has been called up for the England under-19 squad for their Royal London One-Day match with India.

The 17-year-old seamer, who impressed for the Invitational XI in their game against the Indians in Loughborough this week, has received his first call-up to the team after being notified by under-19 selector David Graveney OBE.

He will link up with the England under-19 squad next week, ahead of their opening One Day international in Cardiff.

Allison, who is a member of the Essex Academy and has represented the county’s second XI this season, has been playing regularly for Colchester’s first XI in the Shepherd Neame Essex League First XI premier division, this season.

Allison has benefited from the mentoring of fellow Colchester and East Essex cricket Ben Stephens, who has been coaching him at his PiriPiri coaching events since he was ten years old.

PiriPiri cricket coaching director Stephens said: “I’m immensely proud of Ben.

“We’ve worked so hard with some long sessions but it’s paid off.

“We’ve prepared him for every scenario.

“He’s very talented but he’s also a very focused and determined young man who never gives up.

“He has a real drive and will to win and that has stood him in good stead, so far.

“He has all of the attributes to do well and he has a quality bowling action.

“He’s still young but he’s really grown up a lot and knows exactly what he needs to do in order to make it to play First Class cricket in the future.

“Ben knows that he still has a lot of hard work in front of him and he still has a long way to go.

“But for him to be called up to the under-19 squad at the age of 17 is a big deal.

“This is a massive opportunity for him now, especially with the under-19 World Cup coming up this winter.

“He initially missed out on the squad but then he got the opportunity to play last week in an under-19 game for an invitational XI against India.

“He took a three-for and bowled his socks off, which has led to him being called up to the England under-19 squad.”

Stephens says Allison’s call-up was well received by the rest of the Colchester and East Essex first XI squad when he informed them of the news.

“Everyone was really pleased for him and came over to shake his hand.”

Allison first signed an Essex Academy contract in 2015, after starring at the under-15 Bunbury festival for the South of England team.

Places are still available for PiriPiri Cricket’s Summer Coaching Camp at Castle Park, next month.

The camp takes place on August 17 and 18 – visit www.piripiricricket.co.uk for more information.