Fast bowler Che Simmons, 18, has signed his first professional contract with Warwickshire, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with the reigning County Championship winners.
Simmons went on trial with Warwickshire last year and was later offered a spot in their academy. The teenager was born and raised in Barbados, but holds a UK passport through his father and was recommended to the county by Barbadian Ottis Gibson, who worked as England's bowling coach alongside Warwickshire's director of cricket Paul Farbrace.
Simmons has been dubbed the 'new Jofra Archer', given Archer was also born and raised in Barbados before moving to England to play county cricket with Sussex. And Simmons has been tipped to follow in Archer's footsteps and play for England one day by Farbrace, who was England's assistant coach between 2014 and 2019.
"Che was recommended to me by Ottis Gibson around 18 months ago," Farbrace said. "He subsequently trialled and we were very impressed by his potential.
"He's gone on to work incredibly hard with our coaches and we think that he could have a very long and successful career with Warwickshire and potentially England. Che's progress over the last 12 months is testament to the work of [second XI coach] Ian Westwood and the wider coaching team.
"Not only have they graduated six local cricketers to the senior ranks in the last three years, but the Academy is attracting some of the most promising young cricketers from around the world.
"Producing our own and developing players to play for England are two of our core cricketing principals and, alongside Che, we're very excited about the potential of many other young cricketers within our pathway." Simmons will become eligible to represent England on residency grounds in 2024.
"Warwickshire and Edgbaston are known around the world and to get this opportunity to become a professional and wear the Bear and Ragged Staff is something that I'm relishing," he said.
"I'm very grateful to the support of all of the coaches, friends and family who have supported me on the journey so far and hopefully I can make a lot of people proud by stepping onto the field as a Bear."
