Richard Walsh's Third Man column: Hildy signs new deal

12:27pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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THERE was great news for all Cidermen fans this week when Somerset announced that James Hildreth, one of the most exciting young batting talents in the country, had signed a three-year extension to his contract.

The 23-year-old's contract was due to expire at the end of this season, but this new deal will mean the former Millfield student has pledged his future to the club until at least 2011.

Hildreth has been on the Somerset scene since he first arrived at Millfield, which has been a breeding ground for international sportsmen for more than ten years.

He is a talented all-round sportsman and has played hockey for the West of England, squash and tennis for the South of England, football for England Independent Schools as well as the youth team at Luton Town, and rugby for Millfield.

Fortunately for Somerset, the youngster who hails from Milton Keynes, eventually opted to pursue his cricketing interest.

Hildy' first came to prominence playing cricket for Somerset U-12s in 1997 which he scored heavily including an unbeaten century for the team against the Netherlands as well as a number of innings' in excess of 50.

From that time he was a regular member of the Somerset age group sides as well as enjoying considerable success for Millfield School.

In 2002, Hildreth had an outstanding season and scored lots of runs for the county U-17s including an unbeaten 161 against Dorset at North Perrott. He also played a major part in helping the Somerset U-19 side to win the County Championship under the guidance of coach Peter Robinson.

It was in that same season that Hildreth first appeared for Somerset 2nd XI against a strong Warwickshire side at Knowle and Dorridge where in his only innings he scored 32.

Hildreth's 1st XI debut followed in 2003 in a rain-abandoned National League match at Old Trafford, when he didn't get to bat. However, on his home debut in the same competition that year he scored 27 to help the Sabres beat Middlesex.

Although Hildreth made his championship debut in the final match of the same season, it was in 2004 that he really announced his arrival.

He was called into the team at short notice to face Durham at Taunton and proceeded to hit his maiden Championship century against an attack that included one of the fastest bowlers in the world, Shoaib Akhtar.

Later that year he scored 210 for England U-19s against Bangladesh at Taunton.

In 2007, Hildreth enjoyed his best season yet passing 1,000 Championship runs in a season for the first time to end with an average of more than 52, which included four centuries. His consistency brought him to the attention of the national selectors who included him in the England Lions tour party that took part in the Duleep Trophy during the winter.

Hildreth himself is delighted to have committed himself to the county where he has played nearly all of his cricket and thankfully will continue to do so for years to come.