ALFIE Ogborne’s self belief has paid off and on Sunday playing against Middlesex in the Royal London One Day Cup he was rated as Somerset’s best bowler by the pundits - which is pretty impressive for a 19 year old who could so easily have been lost to the game.

Back in May 2021 the tall 19 year old left arm paceman who grew up in Sparkford where he started off his cricketing career played a couple of games for Somerset Second XI but after that he went back to playing club cricket for North Perrott and the occasional appearance for Dorset.

This season he switched clubs and joined WEPL Premier One side Bridgwater where he has made a considerable impact and opening the bowling he has taken 19 wickets at an average of under 20 runs.

Thankfully his success playing for Bridgwater has been noticed by Somerset and at the start of July he was asked to play for the Seconds against Northants where he took five wickets in the match. The following week playing against Hampshire he took five for 35 in the second innings.

Less than a month later Alfie was playing for Somerset against Cornwall and Devon in the two warm up games before making his full debut against Durham at the County Ground last Wednesday.

In that game he bowled four overs, and shared in a partnership of 97 with Ben Green. Two days later at Leicester he took three wickets for 49 from his 10 overs, which included being on a hat-trick and then on Sunday he sent down 10 overs - 60 balls half of which were dot balls at a cost of 49 runs and claimed a wicket.

Its all happened so quickly for Alfie and so it was on the day he made his debut last Wednesday as he explained.

“I didn’t know that I was playing until 9.30on the morning of the game so dint have too much time tot think about. I knew that I was in the squad so I had made my preparations and was ready mentally which was a great help to me.

“It was special feeling to run out onto the pitch at the County Ground for my home team for the first time. It was great to get the response I did from the fans was really special because that was my first proper involvement with the club.

“To think that six weeks ago I hadn’t even played for the Seconds, then to have my cap presented to me by Peter Siddle, who is one of the greats of the game before the match was unbelievable.

“Just to be around the team and be treated respectfully was amazing. Everyone is together and even though the results aren’t going our way it does feel like we are a team and trying to perform together to get the results.

“It’s all happened so quickly which in many ways is an advantage because it just keeps going.If it was the other way round and it was a seconds long scenario and Id had lots of ups and down you can have a bit of doubt in your mind, but with the momentum I have got behind myself at the moment, and the confidence I have in myself and my mental ability I have no fear and back myself to my absolute all at the moment.

Alfie added:“This is all down to the club giving me my opportunity, backing my ability and putting their trust in me, for which I am really grateful. I am so lucky to have made my debut since when I have fallen in love with the lifestyle and the club it’s just brilliant how passionate the fans are about Somerset.”