Worcestershire invite Devon paceman Szymanski (pictured) to play for Academy XI against Scotland

Kazi Szymanski on the way to a five-wicket haul for Devon against Cornwall

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

KAZI Szymanski’s wicket-taking form for Devon in his first two games has attracted the attention of talent spotters at First Class county Worcestershire.

Szymanski made an outstanding debut for Devon against Wales at Sandford two weeks ago when he bagged five wickets in the first innings and three more in the second. Rain prevented the game being played out to a result. He followed his debut performance with a second five-wicket haul for Devon in the game against Cornwall at Truro earlier this week.

Although Devon lost the game by 39 runs, Szymanski five-for-42 haul was one of the highlights of the match.

Szymanski has been invited to play for the Worcestershire Academy against Scotland at Old Hill CC in the heart of the Black Country.

Neil Gamble, the Devon CCC chairman, said " We are delighted for Kaz as this shows all our young players that if you do well for the county it may be recognised at a higher level.”

Szymanski, who will be 22 next month, started out as a teenager with Chelston & Kingskerswell CC then moved to Torquay for the 2015 season, where he was a member of the squad that won the Tolchards DCL Premier title.

Len Coldwell - Worcestershire, Devon and EnglandFirst Class counties soon got to know about Szymanski as he was the bowler of the tournament at that summer’s Bunbury Festival. Tom Lammonby, now with Somerset, then a Devon age-group team-mate, won the batting award at the same festival.

Glamorgan got in first for Szymanski, who graduated from their academy to the senior squad during three years at Sophia Gardens.

Szymanski was released by Glamorgan at the end of the 2019 season, since when he has remained in Wales where he has been playing league cricket for Swansea.

Cricketers who previously played for Devon have done well for Worcestershire as full-time players.

Charlie Morris, who joined Worcestershire from Devon in 2012, has taken more than 200 First Class wickets so far since he arrived at New Road.

Going back to the 1950s Worcestershire signed fast bowler Len Coldwell, who played for Devon in 1953 and 1954. He claimed 1076 First Class wickets between 1955-1969 and played in seven Tests for England between 1962-1964.

Charlie Morris bowling for Budleigh Salterton before he joined Worcestershire in 2012