KING’S School, Canterbury, cricketer Paul Dixey has been named in the England Under-15 squad.

Dixey, who lives in Ickham, will link up for monthly training sessions at Old Trafford and Edgbaston. The youngster says he is “delighted” by his call-up.

Wicket-keeper-batsman Dixey said: “I first picked up a bat in the garden when I was about five. My hero is Australian keeper Adam Gilchrist and my ambition is to play for England.

"I’m very competitive, and I practise most days in the summer, and do fitness training three times a week, but academic work comes first.”

Meanwhile, fellow King’s pupil Ben Cryer is waiting to find out if he has been selected for the London and South East Under-16s rugby trials.

Cryer, 15 from Stodmarsh, is also a sprinter and trains with Invicta East Kent AC,

The boys’ housemaster, King’s director of sport, Roy White, said: “Both boys are splendid examples of dedication and commitment, allied to supreme all-round skill. They should go far.”