Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Teenaged fast bowler Bradley Sylvester was awarded his maiden professional contract in late September.
Bradley Sylvester today begins his first pre-season as a full-time professional with Yorkshire, with Anthony McGrath saying “he’s deserved his rookie contract”.
Huddersfield-born Sylvester, 19-years-old, was awarded his maiden pro deal in late September, alongside fellow pace bowler Isaac Bepey.
Yorkshire fans got a glimpse of left-armer Bepey in the opening Metro Bank One-Day Cup match of this summer, against Hampshire at Scarborough. He claimed three wickets during an encouraging debut.
Sylvester, however, has not yet been given his first-team bow.
An Academy graduate, he was part of the team which won the Under 18s County Cup in 2024, beating Middlesex in the final at Kibworth. He took the new ball that day and returned figures of 3-28 from six overs as the White Rose defended 248 to win by 36 runs.
He has since impressed in second-team cricket and has gained England Under 19s recognition.
He struck five times across two four-day Test Matches against South Africa in July.
Yorkshire’s men have returned to pre-season training today, with the women starting their winter programme tomorrow.
The vast majority of men’s players are starting their winters at home, with Sylvester due to head off to Melbourne on a bowlers’ training camp in the New Year led by the county’s Australian bowling coach Mick Lewis.
Head coach McGrath said of Sylvester: “Very good bowler.
“He went to Australia (to play for St Brigid’s/St Louis CC, Melbourne) out of contract last winter, came back and played a lot of cricket.
“He’s been really, really impressive in the second team.
“We wanted to use him in the Metro Bank. But, with Jack White’s injury in the Championship and Coady, we had to get overs into them. So we didn’t see him.
“But he got into the Under-19s, and he’s putting pace on all the time.
“He’s good with a new ball and can bat as well.
“He’s deserved his rookie contract, and we want him to kick on next year.”
Despite still waiting for his first-team debut, Sylvester was named in a numerous squads for matches, including the Rothesay County Championship season finale against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. That was the week his rookie contract was announced by the club.
