YOUNG Essex star Reece Topley wants to seize his moment to shine in front of England coaches Down Under this winter.

The 19-year-old who picked up 48 County Championship wickets for his county this season will be travelling to Australia as part of England’s Performance Programme squad.

With 86 scalps in all competitions, the left-arm pace bowler ended the season as the Eagles leading wicket taker with the county cap being awarded to him.

Many plaudits have been sent Topley’s way from ex-professionals including former England captain Michael Vaughan who called the teenager a “future test cricketer”.

Looking ahead though to his winter schedule, he said the most important thing for him is to let his skills do the talking.

“It is another opportunity to keep playing cricket and the more that I play, the better I become,” Topley said.

“I won’t let the opportunity go to waste though as this time it’ll be in front of people who if I impress them will hold the key to my future.

“Getting talked up by people like Vaughan is quite flattering, but opinion alone is not going to do much. It is all about delivering.”

The bowler who stands at 6ft7ins tall said the season just gone has been a great experience for him and hopes there is far more to come.

Topley said: “It has been a really good season and I have had fun with the people that I have played cricket with.

“Whatever happens during the winter, I have had a brilliant time this year doing my job.

“It is only just the beginning though and hopefully I have another 15 years or so of playing cricket ahead of me.”

Joining Topley, whose father Don also played for Essex, will be his team-mates Tymal Mills and Ben Foakes in the 16 man squad.

He believes Essex with their mix of youth and experience will push forward next year as they look to bag a trophy having come close this year to T20 success and promotion in the four-day game.

“We have quite a young group of lads with some experienced heads in there too,” Reece said.

“Players like Dave [Masters] and Owais [Shah] offer a huge amount with the advice they give. I think we are only going to take steps forwards and we are all progressing.”

Topley will depart with the squad on November 14 for a one month training and games programme split between Brisbane and Perth.