Since he was five years old JT Langridge has wanted to become a professional cricketer and now having spent his first few weeks on the Somerset playing staff after signing a contract that dream is starting to come true.

The left arm seamer who plays his club cricket locally for Ilminster and grew up through the Somerset age groups before graduating from the Academy  talked about how the first few weeks have gone.

“Having worked my through the pathway and the Academy it starts to get more like the real thing and when you get here it is just so enjoyable. All those years you imagine what its going to be like and when you get here its exactly like you think. I feel in a really good place.

READ MORE: Somerset County Cricket Club announces JT Langridge signing

 

“Everyone here is so good and although I have got to know most of them through being on the Academy and playing in the Metro Bank and for the Seconds, but being here as a full time professional is so different again.”

Was being on the staff as he imagined?

“It’s pretty hard work. Today was  an early start and we had a running session over at Huish at eight o clock, then we came back to the ground and maybe grabbed a coffee on the way . Next we went into a gym session followed by a batting session and next it was a fielding session so its pretty full on and by the end of the day Im pretty much on my knees.”

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“There is only a certain amount of time until the summer so it’s about me trying to progress as much as I can and getting the work in and building up and being the best for next year.

“The amount of contact time that you have as a full time cricketer is so much more increased. Through the Academy its great and you have the support the whole way through but when you come onto the staff its different again and the sole purpose is to look after you and get you Into the best position possible.”

JT who is 19 years old made Somerset debut in the Metro Ban One Day Cup in 2023 but missed out on the whole of last summer after suffering a stress fracture to his back, which is now thankfully behind him.

“I’m now fully fit but a bit behind in terms of building loads and its going to take me a bit longer to get up to full match fitness.” 

JT went on: “Andrew Griffiths has been my bowling coach since I was nine or ten years old - although he doesn’t do much work with the first team anymore and Mat Drakeley has been a great help to me from the start. The transition to move onto work with Steve Kirby, Shane Burger and Paul Tweddle and all of the coaches has been easy.

“I remember a dream when I was seven or eight I wanted to bat like Alastair Cook and bowl like Jimmy Anderson, and as I have grown up I have felt the chance of becoming a professional cricketer getting closer and closer. Then after the tough season I had in 2024 to be told I have got as contract was just incredible I was so so happy and just so proud to be representing all the people who have helped me along the way.

“I had cricket lessons at Somerset when I was eight years old, then I did things involving summer camps and played for age group teams all the way up. Ilminster CC probably gave me a first team debut before I was ready for it to just try to progress me.”

JT added: “I have had opportunities no matter where I have been the whole way through which has been really good, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.”