TWO young cricketers from West Somerset, Laurie and Josh Dyer, have been named in the Somerset Pathway Development squads for the coming winter.

Laurie is an all rounder who attends Minehead First School and is part of the Under 10s squad, while his older brother Josh, who is a medium pace seam bowler and a pupil at Minehead Middle School, has been included in the Under 12s.

Throughout the coming winter the brothers will be travelling to Millfield School fortnightly to attend training sessions in addition to which Josh will receive extra sessions funded by the Somerset State School Pathway programme for those attending state schools.

The Dyer boys have grown up in a cricketing environment because the dad Andy played regularly for Minehead as a middle order batter and skippered the First XI for several years. He played a few games for the A XI in 2023 and is currently the vice chairman of the club.

Andy said: “Josh started his cricket with the All Stars and has since come up through the Minehead Junior teams, playing for the Under 11s last season, so he will move up to the under 13s next summer while Laurie will play for the Under 11s.

“ It’s fantastic that both the boys have got into the Somerset Pathway Development squads and it’s a great opportunity for them. I have played cricket since I was the same age as the boys and have gained so much enjoyment from playing for Minehead over the years.”

Andy added: “Minehead have now got a strong junior section and get really good numbers along to training sessions. The club has also got several more coaches working towards their Core Coach qualification in the coming weeks, which will only add to improving the situation. The first team got promotion back into WEPL at the end of the season so things are really moving in the right direction, which is fantastic for the club.”