Alfie Ogborne signs professional contract with Somerset

The 19-year-old bowler made his first-team debut for the club in the 2022 Royal London Cup, taking four wickets in five appearances

Alfie Ogborne has signed a professional contract with Somerset which will keep him at the club until October 2024.

The 19-year-old bowler made his first-team debut for the club in the 2022 Royal London Cup, taking four wickets in five appearances.

He also impressed for the 2nd XI in 2022, taking 16 wickets in four Championship outings.

Ogborne has also represented Dorset, Bridgewater CC, and North Perrott, with whom he reached the semi-finals of the 2020 Village Cup.

^{Ogborne celebrating a wicket in the Royal London Cup [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

Ogborne said: "This is more than special. I've worked really hard for this opportunity and I'm absolutely over the moon. It was even more special to see my dad's reaction because he was sat next to me when I was offered a contract. I've been with Somerset since I was 11, so it was a really special moment.

"I watched my first Somerset game was I was about six, so to be one of those players now is quite hard to comprehend. To be a part of that dressing room is an unbelievable feeling and I really want to be a regular part of the first-team one day.

"In the short term, I want to work hard to establish myself at the club and work towards being more involved within the first XI. I've had a good season this year and hopefully I've demonstrated that I can compete at whatever level is put in front of me.

"In the next two years I would love to experience first-class cricket and do my absolute best for the club. Looking further ahead, I've got great ambition and I'd like to be well remembered at the club in the future."

Director of cricket, Andy Hurry, added: "Alfie has demonstrated outstanding levels of determination and desire to fulfil his ambition to play professional cricket. He is a great example to any young person who has a dream, and he now has the opportunity to reap the benefits of this opportunity.

"Over the last two years, the Royal London Cup has provided the club with the opportunity to gain insight into a number of exciting young players, and Alfie's performances across the 2nd XI and during the Royal London Cup this summer have showcased his potential. We are very much looking forward to helping foster that potential over the next two years."