Berkshire are delighted to hear that former pathway and EPP player Naavya Sharma has signed his first professional contract with Middlesex.
Naavya began with the county as an U10 and made his way through our development program from 10-13 before being selected on our EPP at 14. At 15 he was selected for the south West region at the Bunbury festival where he went on to sign on the Middlesex Academy at 16. He went on to represent the same region at the ECB super 4’s before gaining international recognition last summer with the England U19’s. He will tour South Africa this winter with the 19’s as he continues to develop his game.
Tom Lambert, who worked with Naavya during his time on the EPP commented:
“Naavya was always a hard working and talented young seamer who from a young age had an excellent level of skill and ability to swing the ball both ways at good pace. As a county we are proud to have played our part in passing him over to Middlesex and see how he has flourished over the past three years under their guidance. It’s the best part of the job seeing young players go on to realise their potential. Credit to Stewart Davison who headed up the EPP during his time in charge and to Mark Lane and Jamie Hewitt who oversaw his development on Middlesex EPG.”
Born in Isleworth, the tall nineteen-year-old right-arm quick is another product of the Berkshire Youth system and came through their age group programme before joining the Middlesex pathway at Under 16 level.
Since joining the Middlesex EPG squad, he has gone on to make his debuts for the Club in both the Second Eleven Championship in 2023 and the Second Eleven T20 competition this year.
He capped a magnificent season this year by being called up to the England Under 19s Test squad and featured in both Test matches against Sri Lanka Under 19s, finishing the series as the leading wicket-taker, picking up nine wickets in the two Tests, including a five-wicket haul in the second Test, returning figures of 5 for 44.
Berkshire Head of Performance Neal Robinson commented:
‘A huge congratulations to Naavya Sharma for being awarded a rookie contract with Middlesex.
Naavya is a product of our Emerging Player Programme and started at Berkshire at U11s, making his way onto our Added Provision Group and playing in our age group sides until the end of the U15 season. Naavya is one of many players that has benefitted from a move from the Berkshire EPP to the Middlesex Academy.
Tom Lambert worked extensively with Naavya during his early years and what stood out was his ability to move the ball both ways at eye catching pace. We wish Naavya all the best on the next chapter of his cricket career.’
Middlesex, Managing Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, commented:
“It’s so rewarding to see a young player develop as well as Naavya has, and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.
“Our thanks go to our partners at Berkshire Cricket, who saw the potential in Naavya at a young age, and a lot of credit must go to them for developing him in his early years.”
On signing professional terms with Middlesex, Sharma himself commented:
“I am delighted and honoured to be given this opportunity and am really excited to get started and make a positive impact.
“I would like to thank everyone that has contributed to my cricketing journey thus far”