Dilley and Phillips join Gloucs academy

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Gloucestershire have added JJ Dilley, the son of late former England fast bowler Graham Dilley, and Scott Phillips to their academy.

Dilley junior, a 17-year-old left-arm spinner and Phillips, an 18-year-old fast bowler in his first year at Cardiff UCCE, impressed during a trial. They will also be on the county’s academy summer scholarship programme.

Besides England, Dilley senior represented Kent, Natal and Worcestershire. He died, aged 52, in October 2011.

Gloucestershire academy director Owen Dawkins said: "I am delighted that we have been able to add JJ and Scott to our academy.

“In JJ's case we have been looking for a left-arm spinner with potential for a number of years now to add to what is an already impressive array of talented spinners we currently have coming through the academy.

JJ Dilley and Scott Phillips will hope to emulate Tom Shrewsbury, pictured, an academy member who has played for England U19s

"This winter we have had two off-spinners, Tom Shrewsbury and Miles Hammond, away with England U19s and left-arm chinaman bowler Kieran Smith away with England U17s. JJ's addition will give us great competition.

"In Scott's case I watched him bowl for his club side two years ago and was impressed with his potential. I was not surprised when shortly after that Glamorgan took him onto their academy.

"Unfortunately for him things haven't quite worked out there, but a fresh start is sometimes the best thing and we are delighted that he has joined our academy. Over the past four years we have had great success in developing our young quick bowlers through our academy system onto the pro staff and we hope Scott can follow this path.

"As well as being in our academy, both players will be on our academy summer scholarship programme. This programme is a chance for us to take a longer look at our academy players on a day-to-day basis along the lines of an apprenticeship.

"The players who are on the programme are still in education and, once this has finished for the summer, usually spend around six to 10 weeks with us. They come in and train with the professional squad, try to force their way in to the second XI, and in some cases even make their first XI debut, as happened to Craig Miles and Matt Taylor in the 2011 season.

"Since establishing this programme in 2009, eight of the current professional staff have come through this system. We have found it very beneficial as it gives the players an opportunity to find out what it is like to train and play every day and see if it is for them.

"For us as a club, we are able to find out more about the players and their ability to perform and improve on a regular basis. We also find out more about their character and gain a better understanding of the players before making a decision on offering them a profession contract.”

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