A SCHOOLBOY has been given a chance to hit his cricketing idol for six...and even teach him some new tricks.

Charlie Allison, seven, from Colchester, was offered the chance to play with fellow Colcestarian, Essex and England international, Graham Napier.

Charlie became something of an internet sensation after a video of him playing cricket was posted on the YouTube website.

The clip has now been watched more than 125,000 times online. Mr Napier, who holds a world record, after hitting 16 sixes in one innings in 2011, is Charlie’s favourite player.

The star said: “I saw the clips of Charlie on the internet and was astounded.

“Charlie can do a reverse sweep. I can’t even play that. I never mastered it.

“He’s brilliant for a youngster of that age. To play like that is unique. I don’t remember ever coming across someone like him.”

Charlie was invited to play at Essex County Cricket Club in Chelmsford to promote the launch of the club’s Twenty20 campaign – and succeeded in impressing Mr Napier even more.

In fact, he is predicting great things for the young lad for the future.

However, he stressed the most important thing for now was for Charlie to enjoy his cricket. He explained: “He’s only seven, so he should keep enjoying playing all kinds of sport, not just cricket.

“We don’t want him, in three to four years time, saying he’s bored of playing.

“The likes of Tiger Woods were discovered at Charlie’s age and for me the fact he’s from Colchester just makes it even better.

“He’s quite shy, but I just tried to encourage him to enjoy it.”

Charlie’s dad, Tom Allison, plays for Wivenhoe and his brothers, Ollie and Ben, are also talented cricketers.

A video of the Charlie and Mr Napier was shot when he visited the Chelmsford ground and is likely to be uploaded to the web in the next few weeks.