Berkshire’s Johnny Connell Earns Somerset Metro Bank One Day Cup Call-Up
Berkshire batter Johnny Connell has been rewarded for his outstanding performances with a place in Somerset’s squad for this season’s Metro Bank One Day Cup.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the brightest talents in National Counties cricket since making his Berkshire debut in 2022. He announced himself in spectacular fashion by scoring a superb 150 against Middlesex in a 50-over fixture at Falkland, an innings that played a pivotal role in securing a memorable Berkshire victory.
Connell has continued to flourish in Berkshire colours, going on to score five centuries across all formats and becoming a key figure in the county’s batting line-up.
His impressive form has also been recognised on the representative stage. In 2024, he scored a century for the National Counties XI against a strong Zimbabwe Emerging side before helping the team successfully defend the European T10 title in Spain later that year.
His call-up to Somerset is the latest milestone in a career that has continued to gather momentum and is a proud moment for Berkshire Cricket, highlighting the county’s ability to develop players capable of progressing to the professional game.
Berkshire CEO Mark Roche said:
“Johnny’s selection for Somerset is richly deserved and is recognition of the hard work and dedication he has shown over the past few seasons. From his debut century against Middlesex through to his consistent performances for Berkshire and National Counties, he has demonstrated the quality and temperament needed to succeed at the highest level. Everyone at Berkshire Cricket is delighted for Johnny and wishes him every success during the Metro Bank One Day Cup.”
Connell’s selection is another example of the pathway available through National Counties cricket, with Berkshire continuing to provide opportunities for talented players to showcase their abilities on the national stage.
Everyone at Berkshire Cricket congratulates Johnny on this well-deserved opportunity and looks forward to following his progress with Somerset in the Metro Bank One Day Cup while welcoming him back in Berkshire colours in the future.
Somerset have also included former Berkshire batter Savin Perera in their Metro Bank One Day Cup squad, underlining the strength of the county’s recent player pathway. The 27-year-old left-handed top-order batter, a former England Under-19 international, represented Berkshire before moving into the professional game and has impressed for Somerset’s Second XI this summer. In two Second XI County Championship appearances, Perera has scored 282 runs at an outstanding average of 70.50, including a highest score of 113, earning his opportunity in the senior one-day squad. His selection, alongside Connell’s, provides another boost for Berkshire cricket and highlights the calibre of players to have represented the county in recent seasons.