TALENTED teenager Tom Russell is set to make his debut when leaders Bromsgrove travel to Old Hill in Division One of the Birmingham League tomorrow (Saturday).
The 17-year-old will join a young bowling attack which includes Will Tuffin, 19, who claimed two wickets in the Boars’ winning draw against Harborne last week.
Russell’s opportunity comes after Worcestershire prospect Graeme Whiles sustained knee ligament damage, which is expected to rule him out for up to six weeks.
However, captain Mark Evenson has backed Russell and Tuffin to rise to the challenge at Old Hill and play a big role in keeping his side’s impressive run going.
“We have got a young bowling attack, with Tuffin, who has come up from the seconds, having to carry the can and he is only 19. We have also got a young kid in Tom Russell who will make his debut.
“Graeme is very disappointed as he is trying to get a first class contract with Worcestershire, so that puts him back and he missed most of the winter due to injury as well.
“He had an operation in the winter after tearing ligaments in his right knee, but now it is his left knee, so he needs another operation which will put him out for five to six weeks.
“It is a big of a blow to our bowling attack, but Tom (Russell) has been bowling well in the seconds, so hopefully he can step up and do a job for us.”
