\n<\/p>\n
“For the future of English cricket, it’s a great chance for some of these youngsters to come through and play some proper first-team cricket.”<\/p>\n
With senior players away at The Hundred, a number of counties have taken the opportunity to give young talent a chance in the 50-over competition, several of them still teenagers.<\/p>\n
Warwickshire had Hamza Shaikh and Tazeem Ali, both 18, and 19-year-old Kai Smith in their side against Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n
“The main aim in any comp is to win it but we wanted to get some young lads in. Hamza has batted at four for the whole comp,” Barnard added.<\/p>\n
“Young Taz and Jake (Lintott) bowled really well as two leg-spinners, one right, one left. Taz especially to the short boundary, I thought he did brilliantly.” <\/p>\n
Barnard has a List A batting average of almost 45 and has taken 450 wickets in all formats in his career but is still waiting for a chance at senior international level.<\/p>\n
On his own form, the 28-year-old former Worcestershire player said he felt his game was “in as good a place as it’s ever been”.<\/p>\n
“I’ve got to a point now where I know my game really well so I can go out there and just worry about executing, rather than – when you’re younger – a lot of the stuff you just cloud your head with,” he added.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure there’ll be a dip in form at some point and I’m going to have to remember these days. They’re obviously nice to look back on and have those achievements.<\/p>\n
“When I’m batting I forget that I’m captain, really. Obviously, when you’re in the field, it’s a bit busier in your head, juggling bowlers but I’ve really enjoyed it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n